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Buck Moth or Sheep Moth

Hemileuca sp. (probably H. mania)

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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16.7354, -92.6387

Field Notes

Description:

Very hairy moth of about 1 cm in length. The upper abdomen and legs were bright orange while the underside of the abdomen was banded in brown and white. Family Saturniidae,

Habitat:

Came to lights in the garden, San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.

Notes:

This link shows the same moth taken in 2011, probably also from San Cristobal de Las Casas although the only data given is Los Altos de Chiapas. The author proposed an identification as Hemileuca numa, but I am not sure if that is correct.
http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.org/insectarium/Hemileuca-numa-Druce-18…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
LaurenZarate
Thank you so much Bill, I am delighted to have your identifications! Please use any of my pictures that you wish.
BillOehlke
It is either Hemileuca mania or Hemileuca numa. I favour mania which generally is reported as having a more southerly range in Mexico compared to H. numa. Bill Oehlke I also wish permission to post these images to WLSS, and will also id the other Saturniidae you have posted from Chiapas. Very nice pictures.
LaurenZarate
Thank you J, have you ever heard of Hemileuca numa?
Jacob Gorneau
Gorgeous! I think this might be a Saturniidae, Hemileucinae, perhaps Hemileuca sp.

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Photographed
PublishedJune 16, 2013

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