The sheep moth, or common sheep moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), is a member of the family Saturniidae of silk moths and is native to western North America. In California, its range is west of the Sierran crest[1] and the mountains of Southern California, ranging near to the coast.[2] The moth is dayflying and appears in summer.[1] It feeds on plants of three genera: Ceanothus, Rhamnus (including coffeeberry), and Rosa.[1][2] Nuttall's sheep moth and one other species are similar, occurring in sagebrush areas east of the Sierra Nevada.[1] The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1852.[3]
| Sheep moth | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Genus: | Hemileuca |
| Species: | H. eglanterina
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| Binomial name | |
| Hemileuca eglanterina Boisduval, 1852
| |
The sheep moth has a 5.5-8.5 centimeter wingspan and a relatively slender body. Its forewings are pink with a yellow streak in the middle and the hindwings are yellowish with variable black markings. There is an all-black form near Mount Shasta.[1] The larvae are black with branched yellowish spines that become orange in later development and an orange-brown head.[1]
Gallery
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Adult on flower -
Adult laying eggs -
Caterpillar larva on bitterbrush.
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References
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- ^ a b c d e f Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue (1981). California Insects. University of California Press. p. 230. ISBN 9780520037823.
- ^ a b Michael L. Charters (May 18, 2009). "Common sheep moth". Butterflies and Moths of Southern California. Sierra Madre, California. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Savela, Markku. "Hemileuca eglanterina (Boisduval, 1852)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved November 9, 2018.