Observation date: October 20, 2011
Submitted by: Bill Truesdell
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Pair of mating Hemileuca moths found at Keys View overlook in Joshua Tree National Park. Sent photos and asked friends about identification and one thought it was Hemileuca moth and pretty certain it was species electra. Color of only H. electra in BAMONA is much lighter, more orange than red color of these two. Arizona H. electra are reportedly redder than Southern California variety, so this brings up next question, is this normal species color form for So. Cal. or has the range begun expanding. Therefore, I wanted to contact BAMONA and ask for confirmation or other identification. I have about five more fairly decent, but not perfect photos, but the server doesn't like to send more than about 8 MB or two photos at a time. If interested in seeing other views, please let me know. There were a good number of Eriogonum fasciulatum in the area. And just because we were there for the purpose of finding Eriogonum nudum, we also found a number of that species. Hemileuca is supposed to prefer buckwheats. The host plants are there.
Status: Resident
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: June 21, 2012
Coordinator notes: Good photo-not common!
