Argiope-prey
Guides
Hemileuca
sheep moth, buck moth
Hemileuca n-sp is an undescribed species of sheep moth or buck moth in the family Saturniidae. The genus Hemileuca comprises 24 recognized species in North America, with additional cryptic diversity likely to be resolved through ongoing DNA studies. These moths are diurnal, fast-flying, and often brightly colored, leading to frequent misidentification as butterflies. Males are subject to fatal attraction by Argiope spiders, which mimic female moth pheromones to lure prey. The genus exhibits substantial geographic variation in coloration and morphology, with some species ranging from nearly white to nearly black depending on locality.