Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735
Hemileuca juno
This record describes Hemileuca juno (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing black or dark gray with band of large white spots in PM area; reniform spot white or pale yellow; white basal dash near costa; hindwing black, usually with some white spots in female; abomen black, with reddish tip in male; antennae pectinate in male, simple in female Larva: early instars all black with branched spines arising from tubercles on all segments; final instar densely speckled with white, giving overall grayish appearance, except for reddish tubercles
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
desert scrub and mesquite woodlands; adults fly during the day but are also active at night and come to light
Geographic Range
New Mexico to southern California, south into western Mexico (see distribution map at butterfliesandmoths.org)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from September to December larvae from April to June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed mainly on flowers and flower buds of mesquite ( Prosopis spp.) adults do not feed
Life History
one generation per year; eggs are laid in fall in groups on hostplant; eggs overwinter and hatch in early spring; larvae pupate in leaf litter in May and June, and adults usually emerge that fall, although some may delay emergence for up to four years [adapted from butterfliesandmoths.org and zianet.com]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemileuca juno. 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 Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735
What is Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735?
Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 (Hemileuca juno) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735?
wingspan 58-80 mm
How do you identify Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735?
Adult: forewing black or dark gray with band of large white spots in PM area; reniform spot white or pale yellow; white basal dash near costa; hindwing black, usually with some white spots in female; abomen black, with reddish tip in male; antennae pectinate in male, simple in female Larva: early instars all black with branched spines arising from tubercles on all segments; final instar densely speckled with white, giving overall grayish appearance, except for reddish tubercles
Where is Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | desert scrub and mesquite woodlands; adults fly during the day but are also active at night and come to light |
| Range | New Mexico to southern California, south into western Mexico (see distribution map at butterfliesandmoths.org) |
What does Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 eat?
The diet of the Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 includes larvae feed mainly on flowers and flower buds of mesquite ( Prosopis spp.) adults do not feed.
When is Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735 active?
Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735: seasonal activity - adults fly from September to December larvae from April to June.
What is the life cycle of a Juno Buck Moth - Hodges#7735?
one generation per year; eggs are laid in fall in groups on hostplant; eggs overwinter and hatch in early spring; larvae pupate in leaf litter in May and June, and adults usually emerge that fall, although some may delay emergence for up to four years [adapted from butterfliesandmoths.org and zianet.com]