Species Hemileuca juno - Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735

7735

Hemileuca juno Packard, 1872

* phylogenetic sequence #225100

wingspan 58-80 mm

Adult: forewing black or dark gray with band of large white spots in PM area; reniform spot white or pale yellow; white basal dash near costa; hindwing black, usually with some white spots in female; abomen black, with reddish tip in male; antennae pectinate in male, simple in female

Larva: early instars all black with branched spines arising from tubercles on all segments; final instar densely speckled with white, giving overall grayish appearance, except for reddish tubercles

New Mexico to southern California, south into western Mexico (see distribution map at butterfliesandmoths.org)

desert scrub and mesquite woodlands; adults fly during the day but are also active at night and come to light

adults fly from September to December

larvae from April to June

larvae feed mainly on flowers and flower buds of mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

adults do not feed

one generation per year; eggs are laid in fall in groups on hostplant; eggs overwinter and hatch in early spring; larvae pupate in leaf litter in May and June, and adults usually emerge that fall, although some may delay emergence for up to four years [adapted from butterfliesandmoths.org and zianet.com]

other species of Hemileuca have a different pattern on forewing and/or hindwing (see images of several species by Bob Nuelle at MPG, and links to images at Bruce Walsh's site)

Moth Photographers Group - species page

pinned adult image of male (left) and female (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)

pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus common name reference, distribution map, description, and other info (butterfliesandmoths.org)

live larva image late instar (Bruce Walsh, Arizona)

presence in California; list (U. of California at Berkeley)