Dendrolimus is a species rich genus. The 35 species all occur in Eurasia. They are medium sized moths. Some species are locally abundant and can become a pest in pine forests. The caterpillars are often quite colorful.

Rearing Dendrolimus species is usually pretty straightforward, especially those of warmer areas which brood continuously in captivity. The ones from colder places like for example Dendrolimus pini often have a longer life cycle with overwintering caterpillars (sometimes overwintering even twice).