Buck Moth

This species has larvae with branching spines that can sting. It is only found in pine barrens with an open tree canopy maintained by fire or other disturbance.

• Scientific name: Hemileuca maia
• Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
• Special Concern (MA Endangered Species Act)

Description

Buck moth, Hemileuca maia. 

The buck moth (Hemileuca maia) is a day-flying saturniid moth with a wingspan is 50-75 mm (2-3 in) (Covell 1984), with females larger than males. Both the forewing and hind wing are black proximally and distally, the median area with a white band extending from the costa to the inner margin; the reniform and discal spots are yellow and elongate. The head, thorax, and abdomen are black overall, with long, hair-like scales; the front of the thorax (just behind the head) is yellowish-white, the rear (adjacent to the abdomen) bright orange; the abdomen is frosted with white; the male has a brush of bright orange scales at the tip of the abdomen. The larva is black with a yellow spiracular stripe and/or yellow speckling, a maroon head and prolegs, and long, branching spines that can inflict a painful sting; it reaches a length of up to 65 mm (Wagner 2005). The New England buck moth (Hemileuca lucina) is very similar in appearance, but typically with more translucent wings and a wider white band on the forewing (Tuskes et al. 1996). The New England buck moth is found in or near wetland habitats, while in Massachusetts the buck moth is primarily a species of pitch pine-scrub oak barrens.

Life cycle and behavior

In Massachusetts, adult buck moths fly on sunny days from late September through October. Females lay eggs in clustered rings around twigs of scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia), occasionally on other species of shrubby oaks. Eggs overwinter and hatch in May. Larvae feed in gregarious clusters through June into July, when late instar larvae disperse and become more solitary; they may be found on plants other than oak at this stage. Pupation occurs in July or early August, and pupae diapause until the fall.

Distribution and abundance

The buck moth is found from extreme southern Maine south to central Florida, and west through southeastern New York, Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and southern Missouri to southeastern Kansas, and south through eastern Oklahoma, extreme eastern Texas, and Louisiana (Tuskes et al. 1996). In Massachusetts the buck moth is restricted to the coastal plain in the southeastern part of the state, with one inland population in the Connecticut River Valley.

Distribution in Massachusetts. 
2000-2025
Based on records in the Natural Heritage Database. 

Habitat

In Massachusetts the buck moth inhabits xeric (dry), open habitats with extensive scrub oak thickets, particularly sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens.

Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.

Sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens habitat with sparse trees and abundant scrub oak, ideal habitat for the buck moth. Habitat managed by MassWildlife at Southeast Pine Barrens Wildlife Management Area.

Threats

The buck moth is threatened by habitat loss and fire suppression in its disturbance-dependent habitats, in particular sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens. Other potential threats include introduced generalist parasitoids, aerial insecticide spraying, non-target herbicide application, and off-road vehicles. The effect of a warming climate may not be detrimental to this species in Massachusetts; its range extends south to Florida, suggesting adaptation to warm temperatures.

Conservation

Land protection and habitat management are the primary conservation needs of this species in Massachusetts. In particular, sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens should be conserved, restored, and managed to maintain habitat for this species and the entire suite of rare and threatened species dependent on such habitat.

Survey and monitoring

The distribution of the buck moth in sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens is well documented. Known populations of this species should be surveyed to document persistence at least once every 25 years; every 10 years is more desirable when practicable.

Management

Management of sandplain pitch pine-scrub oak barrens benefits a suite of rare and threatened species, and habitat condition should be monitored and management adapted as needed. For the buck moth, open barrens with a shrub layer including scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) is of particular importance.

Research needs

The natural history and conservation needs of the buck moth are relatively well known. However, as with other species with a geographic range mostly south of Massachusetts, the future effects of a warming climate on this species are unpredictable and should be documented.

References

Covell, C.V. 1984. A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Massachusetts. 496 pp.

Tuskes, P.M., J.P. Tuttle, and M.M. Collins. 1996. The Wild Silk Moths of North America: A Natural History of the Saturniidae of the United States and Canada. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. 250 pp.

Wagner, D.L. 2005. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 512 pp.

Date published:	March 7, 2025