Hemileucinae
Guides
Automeris io
Io moth, peacock moth
Automeris io is a colorful North American saturniid moth with sexual dimorphism in adult coloration: males are bright yellow, females reddish-brown to purple. Both sexes possess distinctive eyespots on the hindwings used in anti-predator displays. The caterpillars are gregarious, bright green with red and white lateral stripes, and possess venomous urticating spines that cause painful stings. Adults are nocturnal, lack functional mouthparts, and live 1–2 weeks. Populations have declined in parts of their range, particularly in New England, due to habitat loss and parasitism by introduced biological control agents.
Automeris louisiana
Louisiana eyed silkmoth
Automeris louisiana, the Louisiana eyed silkmoth, is a species of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. It is native to North America and was described by Ferguson and Brou in 1981. Like other members of the genus Automeris, adults are characterized by prominent eyespots on the hindwings used for predator deterrence. The species has been subject to a petition for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, with a status review initiated in 2011.
Coloradia
pinemoths
Coloradia is a genus of large saturniid moths comprising nine described species distributed in Mexico and eastern North America. Adults are predominantly grey in coloration. Larvae feed primarily on pines (Pinaceae), though Coloradia pandora has been recorded on aspen (Populus). Members are commonly referred to as pinemoths. The genus was established by C. A. Blake in 1863.
Coloradia luski
Lusk's pine moth, Lusk's Pinemoth
Coloradia luski, commonly known as Lusk's pine moth, is a saturniid moth species described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1926. It belongs to the genus Coloradia, a group of pine-feeding moths distributed in western North America. The species is recorded in the MONA/Hodges system under number 7726. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with pine forests, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Coloradia pandora davisi
Coloradia pandora davisi is a subspecies of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1926. It represents the southernmost population of Coloradia pandora, distributed in Middle America and the southwestern United States. Like other Hemileucinae, adults do not feed and rely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by geographic range and subtle morphological differences.
Coloradia velda
Velda Pine Moth
Coloradia velda is a species of giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae, described by Johnson and Walter in 1981. It belongs to the genus Coloradia, which comprises pine-feeding moths distributed across western North America. The species is known from limited records and appears to be associated with pine forests. Adults are nocturnal and do not feed; larvae feed on pine needles. The sex pheromone has been characterized chemically, with (E4,Z9)-tetradecadienal identified as a key component.
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 electra mojavensis
Hemileuca electra mojavensis is a subspecies of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Tuskes & McElfresh in 1993. As a member of the Hemileucinae subfamily, its larvae bear venomous spines characteristic of this group. The subspecies is associated with the Mojave Desert region and exhibits geographic variation typical of the Hemileuca electra species complex.
Hemileuca juno
Juno buck moth, Juno buckmoth
Hemileuca juno is a saturniid moth in the subfamily Hemileucinae, commonly known as the Juno buck moth. First described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1872, this species occurs in Central and North America. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth with larvae that possess urticating spines capable of delivering painful stings. The species is assigned Hodges number 7735.
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.