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Oculea silkmoth
Antheraea oculea (Neumoegen, 1883)
Attributes of Antheraea oculeaFamily: Wild Silk Moths (Saturniidae) Subfamily: Giant Silkworm Moths (Saturniinae) Identification: Upperside of wings is tan, sometimes with a yellowish or reddish tint. Forewing margin is the same color as the basal area; submarginal line is black. Rings around the eyespots are orange, blue, and black. Underside has contrasting rust, brown, and white markings. Life history: Adults emerge from their cocoons in the afternoon, and mating takes place in late evening or early morning. Females lay eggs during the following evenings, depositing clusters of 3-8 eggs on the host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves and spin large cocoons in the leaves of the host plant. Flight: One brood from June-August. Wing span: 3 15/16 - 5 7/8 inches (10 - 15 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Oaks and walnuts including Emory oak (Quercus emoryi), Mexican blue oak (Q. oblongifolia), and Arizona black walnut (Juglans major). Adult food: Adults do not feed. Habitat: Oak woodland and mixed forest. Range: Southwestern corner of New Mexico through the mountains of southern Arizona north to Flagstaff and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Conservation: Not usually required. NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Antheraea oculea
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