Sagebrush Sheep Moth
Common NameSagebrush Sheep Moth
Scientific NameHemileuca hera
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilyHemileucinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Primary Colorswhite, black, orange
HabitatSagebrush steppe, arid grasslands, open shrublands
Geographic RangeWestern North America (from British Columbia south to California, east to the Dakotas and Colorado)
Host Plantssagebrush (Artemisia spp.)
Flight PeriodAugust to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are spiny, black caterpillars that feed gregariously on sagebrush. They pupate in the soil, and adults emerge in late summer to fall.
Identification TipsLook for its large size, bright white wings with distinctive black venation and broad black borders, and the prominent black discal spot on the forewings. The furry orange and black thorax is also a key identifier.
Description
A large, striking moth with a furry orange and black body. Its wings are predominantly white with bold black venation, thick black borders, and a prominent black discal spot on each forewing.
