Hyalophora columbia columbia
hye-uh-lah-FOR-uhMkuh-LUM-bee-uh
(S. I. Smith, 1865) Samia columbia

Hyalophora columbia columbia moth courtesy of Leroy Simon.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke.
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 or Attacinae, Blanchard,1840 Tribe: Attacini, Blanchard, 1841 Genus: Hyalophora, Duncan, 1841

In the wild caterpillars of this species feed almost exclusively on larch (Larix laricina), but I have also been successfull rearing them on pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica here on PEI.

Hyalophora columbia columbia female, courtesy of Darrell Gulin.

Female moths lay single eggs (sometimes a pair) near the base of the larch needles. Incubation can take anywhere from 8-19 days, depending on temperature.

Columbia columbia larvae are solitary from time of emergence.

Columbia columbia larvae are very similar to cecropia and other Hyalophora species but may be distinguished by three pairs of enlarged red thoracic tubercles. Cecropia have but two pairs of red-orange enlarged dorsal, thoracic scoli. Scan of fifth instar larva on larch by Bill Oehlke.

Cocoons are compact and usually woven longitudinally against a branch or trunk from 6-15 feet above the ground. The cocoons have gold and silvery striations resembling the larch bark. Pupae tend to have little room within a smooth, denser inner cocoon.

Hyalophora columbia columbia cocoon, Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia,
spring, 2017, courtesy of Krista Melville.

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. I only have had successful experiences with larch and pin cherry. I cannot vouch for the other species in the list.

Larix laricina ........ Larch/Tamarack

Abies balsamea....... Balsam fir
Kalmia augustifolia..... Narrow-leaved laurel
Myrica pensylvanica..... Northern bayberry
Nemopanthus mucronata..... Catberry
Picea glauca ......... White spruce
Picea marina ....... Black spruce
Prunus cerasus ....... Sour cherry
Prunus domestica ........ Garden plum
Prunus pensylvanica...... Pin cherry
Prunus serotina ........ Wild black cherry
Prunus virginiana ........ Chokecherry
Pseudotsuga menziesii ....... Douglas-fir
Rhododendron canadense .... Azalea
Salix alba .......... European white willow
Spiraea tomentosa ....... Hardhack
Tsuga canadensis ....... Eastern hemlock
Ulmus ................. Elm

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