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Species Detail
Griffin's sheepmoth
Hemileuca griffini Tuskes, 1978
Attributes of Hemileuca griffiniFamily: Wild Silk Moths (Saturniidae) Subfamily: Buck and Io Moths (Hemileucinae) Identification: Male abdomen is black with a red tip, female abdomen is banded with red and black. Upperside of wings is white with narrow black markings. Life history: Adults emerge in early morning and mate in late morning. Females lay eggs in early afternoon in bands around twigs of the host plant. Eggs overwinter and hatch in April; the young caterpillars feed together and when older they feed alone. Fully-grown caterpillars may wander for 2-4 days before making loose cocoons under plant debris or in sandy soil. Flight: One flight from August-October. Wing span: 1 3/4 - 3 inches (4.4 - 7.6 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima). Adult food: Adults do not feed. Habitat: High desert scrub. Range: Southern Utah south to central Arizona, west to southern Nevada. Conservation: Populations should be inventoried and monitored to determine conservation status and impact of grazing on habitat. NatureServe Global Status: Not reported Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Hemileuca griffini
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