About Hyalophora columbia Smith, 1865
Hyalophora columbia, commonly known as the Columbia silkmoth or larch silkmoth, is a moth species belonging to the family Saturniidae. It was first described by Sidney Irving Smith in 1865. This moth has a wingspan ranging from 80 to 100 mm. Adults are active from May to July, and the species produces one generation per year.
In eastern parts of its range, Hyalophora columbia is found from Quebec and Ontario to Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and southeastern Manitoba. In western parts of its range, it occurs from Alberta and Montana south through the Rocky Mountains to southwestern Texas and into central Mexico.
In the eastern portion of its range, the larvae feed on Larix laricina. In western Ontario, larvae have additionally been recorded feeding on Prunus pensylvanica, Alnus rugosa, and Betula papyrifera. In the western portion of its range, larvae feed on Prunus demissa, Prunus emarginata, Purshia tridentata, Rosa, Salix, Shepherdia argentea, Eleagnus angustifolius, and Ceanothus.
