Tricolor buckmoth

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Tricolor buckmoth (Hemileuca tricolor) is a moth in the silkworm family Saturniidae. It is found mainly in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States (including southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico) and in Mexico. Males are smaller and lighter in color than females. The wingspan is about 5.2 to 7.8 cm (2 1/8 to 3 1/8 inches). The forewings are gray with white bands and a central yellow or orange eyespot; males have white hindwings, while females are white to dull brown. The abdomen is red to reddish brown. Caterpillars feed on littleleaf palo verde, mesquite, and catclaw mesquite. Adults do not feed. Eggs are laid on host plants and hatch in July; caterpillars feed until they pupate, then overwinter as pupae and emerge in January. There is one generation per year, with adults flying from January to April.