Nevada Buck Moth
Hemileuca nevadensis Stretch, 1872
Family: Saturniidae
Status: Uncommon local resident
Range: Western United States extending northeast to the Great Lakes region.
Larval Hostplant(s): Various species of Willows (Salix sp.) and Cottonwoods (Populus sp.)
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: One autumn flight (Sept – Oct).
Habitat: Riparian areas
Avg. Wingspan: 2 – 2 1/2 Inches
Found at: Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area
Overwintering: As eggs
Similar Species: The bases and margin of both the FW and HW of the Hera Buck Moth are not completely shaded in black.
Notes: Females lack orange hairs at the tip of the abdomen. The moth supposedly gets the name Buck Moth from its very late flight period where it is often encountered by deer hunters.
Of Special Interest: The Washington County record consists of a sight record of larvae found on Ceanothis (New Jersey Tea). None were taken and reared to maturity. James Tuttle suggests that these may be more aligned to a population in nearby Monona County, Iowa feeding on Ceanothus/Oak which he would tend to consider as Hemileuca maia, a Buck Moth inhabiting eastern North America and not yet found in Nebraska. Adults or larvae found in eastern Nebraska should be closely examined and reported.
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net.
