Nuttall's Sheepmoth
Hemileuca nuttalli
Habitat
Status
Endangered (Federal)
Red List (Provincial)
Description
Nuttall's Sheep Moths are large Giant Silk Moths and can have wingspans nearly 3 inches across. The wings are a bright orange-yellow at the bottom, gradually morphing into creamy white on the top. The wings have two thick black stripes that curve through the middle of the wings, and there is a black eye-spot with a white centre on each wing. The body is yellow-orange. Caterpillars are black and spiny and can reach 5.5 cm (2in) in length. Sheep Moths are also sometimes called Buck Moths
Nuttall's Sheep Moths are found in the brunchgrass shrub-steppe on dry open slopes at low elevation. The larvae require antelope-brush and snowberry species.
Threats
-Drastic loss of antelope-brush due to agricultural and urban development
-Herbicides and insecticides
You Can Help!
-Protect and conserve areas with healthy populations of antelope-brush
-Avoid herbicide and insecticide use
Resources
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/nuttalls-sheep-moth-2015.html
Nuttall's Sheepmoth photo taken by James Bailey, found on inaturalist.org