partners in conservation, restoration and care of important wildlife habitat
Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship
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