Hemileuca electra clio
Barnes & McDunnough, 1918
A of sheep moth in the Saturniidae. Hemileuca electra clio belongs to a of day-flying commonly known as sheep moths or buck moths, which are frequently mistaken for butterflies due to their colorful appearance. The genus Hemileuca is characterized by larvae bearing urticating (stinging) spines. As a subspecies of Hemileuca electra, it is part of a group showing significant geographic variation in coloration and pattern.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hemileuca electra clio: /ˈhɛmɪˌluːkə ɪˈlɛk.trə ˈklaɪ.oʊ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
Middle America and North America. Specific range within these regions is not well documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Hemileuca eglanterinaCommonly known as the sheep moth; shares the and general appearance, leading to potential confusion. H. eglanterina is highly variable in coloration ranging from nearly black to pink/yellow to orange with black markings.
- Hemileuca heraAnother variable Hemileuca showing extreme color variation from nearly white to nearly black depending on locale, similar to the geographic variability seen in H. electra.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Sheep Moths Draw Attention at Bohart Museum of Entomology Open House | Bug Squad
- Look but do not touch: puss caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis; White flannel moth, Norape ovina; Io moth, Automeris io; buck moth Hemileuca spp.; and hag moth, Phobetron pithecium — Bug of the Week
- Up Close and Personal With Venomous Moths