Nuttall's Sheep Moth
Common NameNuttall's Sheep Moth
Scientific NameHemileuca nuttalli
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilySaturniinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorscream, yellow, black, orange
HabitatArid and semi-arid regions, sagebrush steppe, open woodlands
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from British Columbia south to California and east to the Dakotas and Colorado
Host PlantsPurshia tridentata, Ceanothus, Prunus, Salix
Flight PeriodAugust to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are spiny and feed on various shrubs. Adults emerge in late summer/fall and are short-lived, not feeding.
Identification TipsLook for the distinct black eyespot on the pale forewings, contrasting with the yellow/orange hindwings that have bold black bands. The fuzzy orange thorax and feathery antennae are also characteristic.
Description
This moth has a fuzzy orange-brown body, pale cream forewings with a prominent black eyespot and dark wavy bands, and bright yellow to orange hindwings with broad black bands.
