Electra is a beautiful, fast-flying buck moth found in Southern California. I have never seen one flying but I have found the larvae in spring near Lake Elsinore, California. Shown here feeding on California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). Handle with care: this critter has stinging spines, as do many Saturniidae larvae. It is almost full grown, about 5cm long. Soon it will pupate under loose soil, eclosing in late September.
Electra is a beautiful, fast-flying buck moth found in Southern California. I have never seen one flying but I have found the larvae in spring near Lake Elsinore, California. Shown here feeding on California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). Handle with care: this critter has stinging spines, as do many Saturniidae larvae. It is almost full grown, about 5cm long. Soon it will pupate under loose soil, eclosing in late September.