Inland Barrens Buckmoth (larva)

Hemileuca maia maia, the Inland Barrens Buckmoth, is a species of special concern in New York State. The moth is found in specific habitats, such as the sandy pine (Pinus sp., mostly P. rigida) barrens with mainly oak (Quercus ilicifolia, and some Quercus prinoides) undergrowth. This caterpillar was found crawling along the trail, and could have easily been stepped on if one was not aware of this species. The spines are poisonous and can deliver quite a painful sting. They are quite a late-season moth for Northeastern North America as their larva appear in mid-July and throughout August, and they emerge as adults in mid-September to October.