Velda pinemoth
Coloradia velda Johnson and Walter, 1981
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Hemileucinae
Identification: Upperside whitish submedian and antemedian lines. The hindwings are slightly paler and may have pink at the bases or along the inner margin. Each wing has a small black eyespot. Male forewings are gray-brown and the hindwings are almost white with bold black and pink markings. Males have slightly more pink on the hindwings than females.
Wing Span: 2 5/8 - 3 5/8 inches (6.6 - 9.2 cm).
Life History: Adults emerge in late morning and mating begins the same evening. Shortly after mating, females lay eggs in groups of 6-15 at the base of pine needles. Eggs hatch about 3 weeks later, and 3-5 young caterpillars feed together on the same pine needle. Older caterpillars feed alone. Caterpillars spin loose cocoons under the soil surface in which they pupate and overwinter.
Flight: One brood from May-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla).
Adult Food: Adults do not feed.
Habitat: Pine forests.
Range: San Bernardino Mountains in San Bernardino County, California.
Conservation: Populations should be inventoried and monitored to determine if conservation or management are necessary.
NCGR: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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