Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726
Coloradia luski
This record describes Coloradia luski (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing speckled gray with black zigzag PM and ST lines that sometimes touch; reniform spot represented by a black discal dot; AM line black, jagged, with elongate projection that touches the reniform spot (a diagnostic feature); hindwing variably pale gray to pink with large black discal spot and dark PM and ST lines
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Hemileucinae
- Tribe
- Hemileucini
- Genus
- Coloradia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
pine forests
Geographic Range
southwestern United States (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico) south into Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of pine ( Pinus spp.) adults do not feed
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in loose cocoon in soil
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coloradia luski. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726
What is Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726?
Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 (Coloradia luski) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726?
wingspan 50-88 mm; male considerably smaller than female
How do you identify Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726?
Adult: forewing speckled gray with black zigzag PM and ST lines that sometimes touch; reniform spot represented by a black discal dot; AM line black, jagged, with elongate projection that touches the reniform spot (a diagnostic feature); hindwing variably pale gray to pink with large black discal spot and dark PM and ST lines
Where is Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | pine forests |
| Range | southwestern United States (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico) south into Mexico |
What does Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 eat?
The diet of the Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 includes larvae feed on leaves of pine ( Pinus spp.) adults do not feed.
When is Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726 active?
Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.
What is the life cycle of a Lusk's Pine Moth - Hodges#7726?
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in loose cocoon in soil