Hemileuca maia

(Drury, 1773)
Buck Moth

Sort #: 1644 | P3 #: 890040 | MPG #: 7730 | PFG Page #: 252
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Larval feeding type: Feeds communally when young, they then disperse and feed singly
Larval substrate: Quercus ilicifolia* (Scrub Oak), occasionally also Quercus rubra* (Northern Red Oak) where this grows together with Scrub Oak
Phenology: Adult: 9/24 to 10/29 (125 records)

Comment: Frequents dry barren habitats with a lot of scrub oak. There may be some hybridization with H. lucina where populations are close.The standard DNA barcode cannot distinguish between the two species.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Widespread, fairly common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: Special Concern
First Year Reported: 1833
Last Year Reported: 2023

Distribution by County: Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester, Essex, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket
Number of Records: 335