Hemileuca lucina
Hy. Edwards, 1887
New England Buck Moth
Sort #: 1645 | P3 #: 890041 | MPG #: 7732
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Larval feeding type: Feeds communally when young, they then disperse and feed singly
Larval substrate: Spiraea alba* (White Meadowsweet)
Phenology: Adult: 9/08 to 10/16 (94 records)
Comment: Frequents boggy areas, where the foodplant grows. There may be some hybridization with H. maia where populations are close.The standard DNA barcode cannot distinguish between the two species.
Status in MA (automated assessment): Fairly widespread, fairly common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1905
Last Year Reported: 2023
Distribution by County: Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable
Number of Records: 165