Texas Buck Moth
Common NameTexas Buck Moth
Scientific NameHemileuca maia
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilyHemileucinae
Wingspan (mm)60
Wing Patterntransparent
Primary Colorstransparent, black, white, orange
HabitatOak woodlands, open forests, savannas
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America (specifically Texas for this subspecies)
Host Plantsoak
Flight PeriodLate September to November
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in rings around host plant twigs and overwinter. Larvae are spiny and gregarious, feeding on oak leaves before pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include transparent wings with prominent black veins and borders, a broad white band across both forewings and hindwings, and a fuzzy black and white body with a reddish-orange abdominal tip. They are diurnal and fly in autumn.
Description
A medium-sized moth with largely transparent wings bordered in black and marked with white bands. Its body is densely covered in black and white fur, with a distinctive orange-red tip on the abdomen.
