Hemileuca nevadaensis

Adult male side view — Newton County (Chris Joll)

Adult male underwing view — Newton County (Chris Joll)

Female (left) and male (right) mating — Newton County (Jeanette Jaskula)

Antennae of a male — Newton County (Chris Joll)

Caterpillar — Newton County (Jeanette Jaskula)

Caterpillar close up of the barbs — Newton County (Jeanette Jaskula)

An Indiana Native

Hemileuca nevadaensis — Nevada Buck Moth (“Great Lakes Complex”)

Stretch, 1872

Hodges# 7731

Etymology

Hemileuca: Combines the Greek hemi for “half” with leuc for “white” — a reference to the wing patterning.

Nevadaensis: Of or from Nevada.

Pronunciation

hem-ee-loo-kuh nuh-va-duh-en-sis

Overview

For decades, taxonomists have debated the placement of the so-called “Great Lakes Complex Buck Moths.” Presently, most experts consider them a regional variation of the Nevada buck moth (Hemileuca nevadaensis), which contains no valid subspecies. Therefore, the authors of this page have treated them as such. The following description pertains to the Great Lakes Complex of Hemileuca nevadaensis and not the species’ southwestern phenotype.

Adult Size and Description

Wingspan: 50–70 mm (2–2.8 in)
Coloration and Patterning:

Both fore and hind wings are black with a white median band with a dark discal spot bisected by a yellowish line.
Adults of Great Lakes Complex often appear identical to Hemileuca maia.

Sexual Dimorphism:

Females larger than males
Males have red-tipped abdomen. The abdomen of females is all black.
Antennae are broadly bipectinate on males and much narrower on females.

Defense Mechanisms:

Batesian Mimicry — Some entomologists believe that adult Hemileuca moth’s white/black wing coloration and the female’s red-tipped abdomen may mimic Hymenoptera (bees and wasps). When disturbed, they move their abdomen similar to a stinging insect.

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

2: Imperiled 3: Vulnerable 4: Apparently secure

Globally, NatureServe ranks Hemileuca nevadaensis as a “5” (secure). However, even though there are no official subspecies, many scientists recognize the “Great Lake Complex” as different enough to merit its own conservation ranking. The rankings on this page reflect those of the “Great Lakes Complex,” which NatureServe currently refers to as “Hemileuca nevadaensis ssp3.” (NatureServe 2021)

Floral Associates

The primary larval food source of Hemileuca nevadaensis caterpillars are willows and other Salicaceae. Adults lack a digestive system, do not eat, and exist solely for reproduction.

Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Populus spp.	poplars
	Salix spp.	willows

Nevada Buck Moth (Hemileuca nevadaensis) in Indiana

The map, graph(s), and data below represent the Indiana sightings of Hemileuca nevadaensis as of 21 December 2024, confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 3 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Newton: 28
Lake: 1
LaGrange: 1

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Month

Earliest live adult: Trevor Edmonson, Newton County on 03 October 2020
Latest live adult observation: Jeanette Jaskula, Newton County on 22 October 2022

Total Sightings by Year

Total Number of observations (all years combined): 11
Number of field observers: 5

Sightings by Gender

Image Gallery

The images and records below were submitted by individuals through the Great American Indiana Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Additional Sources

NatureServe. 2021. Hemileuca nevadaensis ssp3. Explorer.natureserve.org. [accessed 2021 May 29]. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.721455/Hemileuca_nevadensis_ssp_3