Hodges#7770

Hyalophora euryalus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Bombycoidea
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Saturniinae
Tribe: Attacini
Genus: Hyalophora
Species: euryalus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hyalophora euryalus: /haɪˌæləˈfɔrə juˈriːələs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Hyalophora euryalus 352710000 by Madeleine Claire. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Ceanothus Silk Moth imported from iNaturalist photo 195617113 on 13 March 2024 by (c) Jeff Lahr, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Hyalophora euryalus 285380046 by Nathan Earley. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Ceanothus silkmoth by VJAnderson. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Hyalophora euryalus 352710001 by Madeleine Claire. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Insect Safari - lepidopteran 011 by Joe Mabel. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

Hyalophora euryalus, also known as the ceanothus silkmoth, is a moth of the family Saturniidae found in Western North America. It exhibits significant color and pattern variability across different populations.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 89-127 mm. Adults are generally variable in color and pattern; maroon, purple, or pinkish areas beyond PM line; discal spot on hindwing shaped like an elongated comma. Larvae change colors, most brilliantly colored in mid-instars with nine pairs of dorsal yellow spines and blue spines tipped with white.

Identification Tips

Look for the elongated comma-shaped discal spot on the hindwing, which may be reduced or absent in extreme cases. Adults have a maroon, purple, or pinkish coloration beyond the PM line, while darker chocolate brown forms can be observed in more northern populations.

Habitat

Coastal areas, chaparral, intermontane valleys, and conifer forests.

Distribution

British Columbia to western Montana, south through west coast states to Baja California; identified subspecies include areas along the Pacific coast and isolated regions in the Sierras and Rockies.

Diet

Larvae feed on a variety of trees and shrubs including Alnus rubra, Prunus emarginata, Ceanothus species, and several others such as Salix and Betula.

Life Cycle

Adults are on wing from January to July depending on the location; mostly univoltine with rare incidental eclosions. Larvae are present in July and August and overwinter as pupae in a cocoon.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid singly or in clumps on the leaves of host plants, hatching in 9-14 days.

Evolution

Hyalophora euryalus exhibits a range of subspecies and hybridization with related taxa like H. columbia. The species shows variability and adaptation across its wide geographical range.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some confusion may arise due to misidentification with related taxa as well as hybrid forms, especially in regions where ranges overlap.