Biology of the genus Hemileuca (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in Michigan

TitleBiology of the genus Hemileuca (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in Michigan
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1994
AuthorsScholtens BGene, Jr. WHerb Wagne
JournalGreat Lakes Entomologist
Volume27
Pagination197-207
KeywordsVARIATION
Abstract

The habitats and host plants of buckmoths (Hemileuca: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) in Michigan are described and compared to those of the three species known from eastern North America, H. maia, H. nevadensis, and H. lucina. Michigan populations show variation in host plant and habitat use spanning the entire range of all three species. The presence of transitional phenotypes and the host plant and habitat data suggest that Michigan populations are a single, variable species. These things combined with the intermediate geographical location of Michigan’s populations call into question the taxonomic distinctness of the three eastern buckmoth species.