Sheep moth
| Sheep Moth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Genus: | Hemileuca |
| Species: | H. eglanterina |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemileuca eglanterina Boisduval, 1852 | |
The sheep moth, or common sheep moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), is a member of the Saturniidae family of silk moths and is native to California 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 sheep moth has a 5.5-8.5 centimeter wingspan and a relatively slender body and (FW) wings that pink with a yellow streak in the middle and (HW) yellowish with variable black markings with an all-black form near Mount Shasta.[1] The larva 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
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Adult laying eggs
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