|
SOUTHERN PINE CONEWORM
Pitch mass caused by SOUTHERN PINE CONEWORM feeding in the inner bark of a sand pine. |
Other: |
Pitch Moth |
| Species |
Dioryctria amatella |
| Common Hosts: |
Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
Loblolly
pine Pinus taeda
Longleaf pine Pinus palustris
Pond cypress Taxodium distichum var. nutans
Sand pine Pinus clausa
Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
Slash pine Pinus elliottii
Spruce pine Pinus glabra |
Description |
Adult - blackish-gray head and body; front wings dark grayish-brown with white zig-zag crossbands and patches, hind wings light grayish-brown; wingspan approximately 30 mm.
Pupa - size of adult; dark brown.
Larva - size variable, approximately 20 mm long when mature; dark head, upper surface of body red-purple brown, undersurface greenish. |
| Importance: |
Severe losses can occur in seed orchards with the destruction of flowers, conelets, and cones. Susceptible shade trees include those with stressed or mechanically-injured stems or branches, especially material with fusiform galls. Death is uncommon, but saplings with a high attack rate may die from the girdling caused by larvae feeding in the inner bark. |
| Biology and Habits: |
Adult moths become active in early spring, mate, and females lay eggs on or near cones, shoots, or wounds. The larvae feed within the cones or inner bark of shoots, branches, and stems. Pupation occurs in the damaged area. Overwinter as pupae. |
Number
of Generations |
1 to 4 generations per year. |
Signs
of Infestation |
Large pitch masses on branch or stem; often the diameter of the pitch mass exceeds 30 mm. Usually a milky white color with little redness or pinkness. Tan pupal case protruding from a pitch mass. Commonly adjacent to a recent bark injury or fusiform rust gall. |
Similar
Damage |
BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE: adult a beetle, not a moth; pitch mass reddish color with small bark particles; hole in center of mass; at base of tree. |
| Similar Disease and Symptoms |
PITCH CANKER: usually topmost branches; often not a small pitch mass but a sheet or large area of dripping pitch. No galleries present in the inner bark. Staining is common. |
Control |
Maintain tree health and vigor. Avoid injury of the tree's bark. Prune out branches that have pitch masses or fusiform galls. Use an approved insecticide for high-value trees. |
Bulletin No. 196-A | Printed October, 1983 | Contact the
Forest Health Section 
