Cone Worms
From Bugwoodwiki
Contents |
Hosts
Douglas-fir, true firs, and most western pines.
Distribution
Region wide.
Damage
Larvae feed within cones on cone scales and seeds. External damage ranges from small, misshapen cones (fig. 139) to cones marked only with an entrance hole surrounded by frass and pitch. Larvae may tunnel throughout cone or may nearly hollow it.
Identification
Larvae vary in color from dirty white to brown to gray – depending on species. Most are one-fourth to three-fourths inch long when mature (fig. 140). Some species are solitary feeders; in others there may be several larvae per cone. Adults, while not often seen, are small moths with wingspans of three-fourths to 1-1/4 inches. All have brown, gray, or orange-mottled forewings and typically gray hind wings.
Similar damages
Similar cone damage may be done by western spruce budworm larvae. Depending on instar, it may be difficult to separate the various species when in the larval stage.
References
Furniss, R. L., and V. M. Carolin. 1977. Western For. Insects. USDA Forest Serv., Misc. pub. 1339, 654 p., illus.
Hedlen, A. F., H. O. Yates III, D. C. Tovar, B. H. Ebel, T. W. Koerber, and E. P. Merkel. 1980. Cone and seed insects of North American conifers. Can. Forest Serv., USDA For. Serv., Sec. de Agric. y Rec. Hid., Mexico. 122 p., illus. Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests, USDA Forest Service Northern Region, Publication Number R1-89-54
