This is a featured photo of the month. I will try and update this monthly with a favorite photo.
Common Name: Pandora Moth
Scientific Name: Coloradia pandora
Date Taken: July 29, 2011
Location: Mono Lake, California
Photographer: Howard Cunningham
The Pandora moth is known for its large size and striking appearance.
It follows a two-year life cycle; in year one the eggs hatch in the
summer, and the caterpillars feed on the needles of pine trees. In
year two the caterpillars drop to the ground and burrow into the soil
to pupate, where they remain for up to a year before emerging as
adults. Adults emerge during the summer; they only live for about a
week and do not feed. Pandora moths occur in dry, coniferous forests
in western North America, particularly in the Rocky Mountains, Pacific
Northwest, and the Sierra Nevada. They prefer pine species such as
Ponderosa pine and Jeffrey pine. Every 20 to 30 years the larvae can
cause severe outbreaks of defoliation, weakening forests and leaving
trees vulnerable to diseases and other pests. The larvae are harvested
by Native American tribes such as the Paiute and Washoe people, who
prepare and store them them as a seasonal delicacy. This has brought
the native people into conflict with the United States Forest Service,
which has sought to control moth populations through the use of
insecticides.