Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740
Hemileuca griffini
This record describes Hemileuca griffini (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male abdomen red tipped, otherwise black. Female abdomen red/black banded. Upperside of wings is white with narrow black markings. Host-plant and locality may also be helpful for ID, since this species has such narrow feeding habits and restricted distribution. This species is considered to be threatened, due to its restricted range, and possible threats to its habitat from grazing of livestock. Like other species in this genus, H. griffini caterpillars have venomous spines that cause a painful sting.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Hemileucinae
- Tribe
- Hemileucini
- Genus
- Hemileuca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
High desert scrub.
Geographic Range
Southern Utah, south to central Arizona, west to southern Nevada.
Seasonal Activity
Caterpillars active April-May, adults active August-October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Blackbrush ( Coleogyne ramosissima ).( 1 , 2 , 3 ) Also reported on other genera of Rosaceae: Amelanchier , Cercocarpus , Prunus . One report, possibly erroneous, of feeding on Ephedra .( 3 )
Life History
Eggs are laid on hostplant in autumn, and hatch in April. Pupae spend the summer just below litter or soil surface, and there is one flight of adults in August-October., 2 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for Bruce Griffin, who collected the first individuals of this species in 1974.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemileuca griffini. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mark Fox; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Frequently Asked Questions About Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740
What is Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740?
Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 (Hemileuca griffini) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740?
Adult wingspan 1.75" to 3" Caterpillar to about 2"
How do you identify Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740?
Male abdomen red tipped, otherwise black. Female abdomen red/black banded. Upperside of wings is white with narrow black markings. Host-plant and locality may also be helpful for ID, since this species has such narrow feeding habits and restricted distribution.
Where is Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | High desert scrub. |
| Range | Southern Utah, south to central Arizona, west to southern Nevada. |
What does Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 eat?
The diet of the Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 includes Blackbrush ( Coleogyne ramosissima ).( 1 , 2 , 3 ) Also reported on other genera of Rosaceae: Amelanchier , Cercocarpus , Prunus . One report, possibly erroneous, of feeding on Ephedra .( 3 ).
When is Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740 active?
Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740: seasonal activity - Caterpillars active April-May, adults active August-October..
What is the life cycle of a Griffin's Sheepmoth - Hodges#7740?
Eggs are laid on hostplant in autumn, and hatch in April. Pupae spend the summer just below litter or soil surface, and there is one flight of adults in August-October., 2 )