Hyalophora columbia

Smith, 1865

Columbia silkmoth, larch silkmoth

Species Guides

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Hyalophora columbia is a large silkmoth in the Saturniidae, commonly known as the Columbia silkmoth or larch silkmoth. The exhibits a disjunct distribution across North America, with eastern centered on larch-dominated and western populations utilizing a broader range of plants. are and possess reduced mouthparts, do not feed, and live only to reproduce. The species is notable for taxonomic complexity involving its relationship with H. gloveri, with which it hybridizes in some regions.

Hyalophora columbia 314999085 by Patrick Delhalt. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Flickr - Furryscaly - Columbia Silk Moth by Matt Reinbold from Bismarck, ND, USA. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.Hyalophora euryalus 285380046 by Nathan Earley. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hyalophora columbia: /haɪəˈloʊfərə kəˈlʌmbiə/

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Identification

have a wingspan of 80–100 mm. The can be distinguished from the closely related Hyalophora cecropia by geographic range and plant associations; H. columbia occurs farther north and west with limited overlap. In northwestern Ontario, intergrade with H. gloveri nokomis exhibit intermediate larval characteristics, including variable thoracic coloration (red, reddish-orange, or yellow in fifth instar larvae) compared to the consistently red tubercles of typical H. columbia. The or closely related H. columbia gloveri (sometimes treated as H. gloveri) occurs in the Rocky Mountains.

Images

Habitat

Eastern are associated with larch (Larix laricina) stands. Western populations inhabit montane and subalpine zones including Rocky Mountain coniferous forests and scrubland .

Distribution

Eastern North America: Quebec, Ontario, Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and southeastern Manitoba. Western North America: Alberta and Montana south through the Rocky Mountains to southwestern Texas and central Mexico.

Seasonality

are active from May to July, with peak during the second week of June in Wisconsin. One per year.

Diet

do not feed. Larvae are folivorous; eastern feed primarily on Larix laricina (tamarack/larch). Western populations have been recorded on Prunus demissa, Prunus emarginata, Purshia tridentata, Rosa, Salix, Shepherdia argentea, Elaeagnus angustifolia, and Ceanothus. In western Ontario, larvae have been observed on Prunus pensylvanica, Alnus rugosa, and Betula papyrifera.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as pupa within a silken cocoon. One per year; .

Behavior

are . Males possess large, feathery for detecting female .

Ecological Role

Larval herbivore; contributes to nutrient cycling in coniferous and mixed forest . Serves as prey for birds and other .

Similar Taxa

  • Hyalophora cecropiaOverlaps in range and season in some areas (e.g., Wisconsin), but H. cecropia is generally larger, more widespread in eastern deciduous forests, and has broader plant range including maple and cherry.
  • Hyalophora gloveriTaxonomic boundary disputed; gloveri (or H. columbia gloveri) occurs in Rocky Mountains, may hybridize with H. columbia in transition zones, and larvae have yellow rather than red thoracic .

Sources and further reading