Buck moth
| Buck moth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hemileuca maia male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Genus: | Hemileuca |
| Species: | H. maia |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemileuca maia Drury, 1773 | |
The buck moth (Hemileuca maia)[1] is a common insect found in oak forests, stretching in the United States from the southeast to the northeast and as far west as Texas and Kansas.[2] The larvae typically emerge in a single generation in the spring. The larvae are covered in hollow spines that are attached to a poison sac. The poison can cause symptoms ranging from itching and burning sensations to nausea.[3]
Mature larvae enter the soil to pupate in late June and emerge between October and December as moths to mate and lay eggs. Eggs are typically laid in spiral clusters on oak twigs.[4] In Louisiana, particularly in cities such as Baton Rouge or New Orleans, where use of live oaks as street trees is extensive, the caterpillars can become a significant nuisance for humans.[5] The caterpillars of this moth can also be found in some areas of Virginia, such as the Goshen Scout Reservation, where they are infamous for stinging people going to a summer camp in the area.
References
- ↑ "Card for '''''maia''''' in LepIndex. Accessed 22 September 2007". Internt.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ↑ "Bug Guide for '''''Hemileuca maia''''' Accessed 2008.12.12". Bugguide.net. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ↑ "University of Kentucky Entomology page for "Stinging Caterpillars" Accessed 2008.12.12". Ca.uky.edu. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ↑ Auburn University Department of Entomology page for "Buck Moth". Accessed 2008.12.12.
- ↑ "Louisiana Insect Pest 2012 Management Guide" (PDF). 2012.
External links
- Beccaloni, G. W., Scoble, M. J., Robinson, G. S. & Pitkin, B. (Editors). 2003. The Global Lepidoptera Names Index (LepIndex). World Wide Web electronic publication. (accessed 22 September 2007).
- forestpests.org page on Buck moth
- buck moth on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site