The larvae feed on the tips of "Pinus" species, including "Pinus ponderosa". "Pinus jeffreyi" is more stress tolerant than "Pinus ponderosa". Its current classification is "Pinus ponderosa" var. The larvae feed on "Pinus ponderosa". The larvae feed on various conifers, including Engelmann spruce, but mainly "Pinus ponderosa". Pinus ponderosa is the official state tree of Montana. The dominant conifer species is ponderosa pine ("Pinus ponderosa"). It is found in all parts of the ponderosa pine ("Pinus ponderosa"), especially the needles. It is also known to associate with Ponderosa Pine ("Pinus ponderosa") and Douglas-fir (genus "Pseudotsuga"). The vegetation is a sparse mix of ponderosa pine ("Pinus ponderosa") and Douglas-fir ("Pseudotsuga menziesii"). "Pinus jeffreyi" is closely related to "Pinus ponderosa" (ponderosa pine) and is similar in appearance. "Pinus ponderosa" trees are predominant with nearly complete undergrowth of "Carex heliophila". "Pinus ponderosa" is a large coniferous pine (evergreen) tree. The first settlers found abundant ponderosa pine ("Pinus ponderosa") and Douglas-fir trees. The larvae feed on "Pinus ponderosa", "Pinus sabiniana" and "Tsuga heterophylla".