Females
probably fly as soon as copulation is over and lay clusters of 6-12 large eggs at the bases of pine needles. Eggs are probably 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 the fall to spin loose cocoons just under the surface litter.
Coloradia oaxacensis fifth instar, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1993,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.
Coloradia oaxacensis fifth instar, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1993,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.
Larval Food Plants
It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. 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 oaxacensis is probalby indicative of specimen type location in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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