Tag Archives: Hemileuca eglanterina

•

John Meyer photographed an Elegant Sheep Moth, Hemileuca eglanterina, a few weeks ago. They are day flying moths, and they fly fast and close to the ground.

Bob Rutemoeller found two of these moths mating.

Yes, x-rated Sightings today! Why are they named sheep moths, you might ask? Apparently because they were seen in pastures where sheep were grazing.

Thanks to John and Bob for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

oh, what a beautiful day today! Temps in the low 70's with just a gentle breeze. And the promise of a little rain late Friday/early Saturday.

•

Mary Hunter thought she had found a colorful wildflower in the grasses on a recent hike with friends. It turned out to be a moth that is only seen in the summer months - an Elegant Sheep Moth, Hemileuca eglanterina.

Elegant Sheep Moth by Mary Hunter

This beautiful moth is a native of California and feeds on Ceanothus, Coffeeberry and the Rose family.

Thanks to Mary for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

• 4 Comments

•

Patricia McBratney recently noticed a colorful moth in her garden on The Sea Ranch. She sent me several photographs to see if I knew what is was. Will Ericson to the rescue! Will identified the moth as a Hemileuca eglanterina, subspecies shastaensis, which is commonly called an Elegant Sheepmoth. In one photo there are two moths. Will explained the female was higher on the blade of grass and had attracted a male to mate with her. This is a rare sighting in the Mendonoma Coast and I'm very happy Patricia allowed me to share these photos with you.

And the mating moths.