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