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Photo#1385977
Coloradia 3 at lights - Coloradia luski - male

Coloradia 3 at lights - Coloradia luski - Male
6 miles NW Lyons, Boulder County, Colorado, USA
June 14, 2017
Size: Forewing ~27 mm
This is the third Coloradia that came to lights on June 14, 2017, also in the CO Foothills at ~6400'. All three were flying (often kamikaze) or landing on the sheet, but there was no interaction at all between any of them.
This one is slightly smaller than our C. doris and has a different am line that is quite zigzag. However, it does not quite touch the renal spot as C. luski is said to do. The photos of C. luski are very few on BugGuide and MPG. This species, however, is on Opler's Rocky Mountain NP moths list, but neither doris or pandora are. I'd say that at least half the moths we see here at 6400' are also on his list. Any help with this moth is much appreciated.
Can sex be determined by antennae?

Images of this individual: tag all
Coloradia 3 at lights - Coloradia luski - male Coloradia 3 at lights - Coloradia luski - male

Moved- C. luski
Moved from Coloradia.

These to me are C. luski, the antemedial line does not always reach the discal spot, just usually. Other coloration is somewhat diagnostic too. Coloradia luski is the only Coloradia species in the area that could be smaller than C. doris.

The other C. luski on BugGuide is an odd specimen, they rarely look like that individual in my experience, and also it is warn in such a way to alter the patterning a bit.

This also leaves me to believe that the specimen here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1385486
Is much more likely C. luski (but an oddly patterned individual) or an unrecognized taxa rather than C. pandora, which I consider highly unlikely.

 
C. luski
It's wonderful to have this identified as a C. luski! Your comments on the unlikely C. pandora are also very interesting. Last night no large moths came to lights, but we plan to keep trying and will photograph all Coloradia that may come--if they hold still. I really appreciate all your help with these Coloradia. They are one of our most interesting moths.

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