Females probably fly as soon as copulation is over and probably lay clusters of 6-12 large eggs at
the bases of pine needles. Eggs are green at first but turn bluish grey with a dark micropyle at maturity. Incubation can last up to three weeks.
Larvae are highly gregarious at first with several caterpillars often feeding on a single pine needle. Larvae become more solitary as
they mature and descend tree trunks in August and September to spin loose cocoons just under the surface litter.
Coloradia euphrosyne fifth instar, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico,
October, 2014, via Daniel Marlos of What's That Bug?, very tentative id by Bill Oehlke.
Larval Food Plants
The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.
Return to Coloradia Index
The pronunciation of scientific names is
troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is
merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly
accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some
fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.
The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages,
are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal
ears as they read.
There are many collectors from different countries whose
intonations and accents would be different.
Coloradia, the genus name, was possibly
chosen for the state of Colorado where Coloradia pandora,
the genus specimen type, is widespread.
The species name euphrosyne is from Greek mythology.
Euphrosyne is the Goddess of Joy and one of the three Graces.
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