Buck-moth
Guides
Hemileuca burnsi
Burns' buckmoth
Hemileuca burnsi is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, commonly known as Burns' buckmoth. It is native to North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7737. As a member of the genus Hemileuca, it belongs to a group of day-flying moths whose caterpillars possess urticating (stinging) spines.
Hemileuca chinatiensis
chinati sheepmoth, Chinati buck moth
Hemileuca chinatiensis, commonly known as the chinati sheepmoth or Chinati buck moth, is a species of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. The species was described by Tinkham in 1943 and is native to North America. It belongs to the genus Hemileuca, which comprises 24 species in North America, commonly referred to as buck moths or sheep moths. These moths are diurnal and often mistaken for butterflies due to their bright coloration.
Hemileuca eglanterina shastaensis
Mount Shasta Sheep Moth
Hemileuca eglanterina shastaensis is a subspecies of sheep moth in the family Saturniidae, endemic to the Mount Shasta region of northern California. As a member of the Hemileuca genus, it is a day-flying moth with reduced mouthparts that does not feed as an adult. The subspecies exhibits the characteristic orange and black coloration typical of H. eglanterina, though with geographic variation associated with its isolated mountain habitat. Like other buck moths, its larvae possess urticating spines that can deliver painful stings.
Hemileuca electra
electra buckmoth
Hemileuca electra, the electra buckmoth, is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by W. G. Wright in 1884. Three subspecies are recognized: H. e. clio, H. e. electra, and H. e. mojavensis. Like other Hemileuca species, it is a day-flying moth with larvae that possess urticating spines.
Hemileuca electra clio
A subspecies of sheep moth in the family Saturniidae. Hemileuca electra clio belongs to a genus of day-flying moths 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.
Hemileuca hera
Sagebrush Sheep Moth, Hera Buckmoth
Hemileuca hera is a large, day-flying Saturniid moth (buck moth) native to western North America. First described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841, this species exhibits striking geographic color variation ranging from nearly white to nearly black depending on locale. Adults are diurnal, lack functional feeding mouthparts, and do not feed. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: H. h. hera (Great Basin) and H. h. marcata (Southern Oregon). Larvae feed on sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata, A. tripartita) and other plants including Lupinus and Eriogonum.
Hemileuca magnifica
Magnificent Buck Moth
Hemileuca magnifica is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, described by Rotger in 1948. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth with adults that do not feed. The species belongs to a genus known for caterpillars with urticating (stinging) spines that feed on woody plants, particularly oaks. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species compared to better-known congeners such as H. eglanterina and H. nevadensis.
Hemileuca neumoegeni
Neumoegen's Buckmoth
Hemileuca neumoegeni is a day-flying buck moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults are smaller than typical giant silkmoths and do not feed, relying on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species is native to North America and shares the genus with other buck moths known for urticating caterpillars that feed on oaks.
Hemileuca peigleri
Texas buck moth
Hemileuca peigleri, the Texas buck moth, is a day-flying saturniid moth endemic to central Texas. Adults are short-lived and do not feed, relying on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species is closely associated with oak habitats, where larvae feed on several oak species. Taxonomic status has been debated, with some authorities treating it as a subspecies of Hemileuca maia, though it is currently recognized as a distinct species.
Hemileuca slosseri
Slosser's buckmoth, nit-grass moth
Hemileuca slosseri is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, described in 1989 by Richard S. Peigler and Stephen E. Stone. It is found in North America, particularly in the southwestern United States including New Mexico and adjacent Oklahoma. The species is associated with oak habitats, with larvae feeding on Havard shin-oak (Quercus havardii). Like other Hemileuca species, it is diurnal and possesses urticating (stinging) spines as larvae.
Hemileuca stonei
Stone's buckmoth, pangola-grass moth
Hemileuca stonei is a day-flying buck moth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Claude Lemaire in 1993. The species occurs in Central and North America and is one of approximately 24 Hemileuca species in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely has urticating (stinging) caterpillars that feed on specific host plants. The species is relatively poorly documented compared to some congeners.