Aspen carpenterworm
Acossus populi (Walker)
From: Solomon, J.D. 1995. Guide to insect borers of North
American broadleaf trees and shrubs. Argic. Handbk. 706. Washington, DC:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 735 p.
Hosts. Poplar. Cottonwoods and poplars listed as general
hosts; quaking aspen mentioned as a specific hosts; quaking aspen mentioned as a
specific host (Doane and others 1936, Furniss and Carolin 1977).
Range. Known to occur in Nevada, Colorado, California, and in
the northern Rocky Mountains, but reportedly found from coast to coast and in
Ontario and British Columbia in southern Canada (Doane and others 1936, Dyar
1937, Essig 1929, Forbes 1923, Furniss and Carolin 1977, Neumoegen and Dyar
1894).
Description
Adult. Rather stoutbodied, whitish ash gray moth with yellowish
gray and black markings (Barnes and McDunnough 1911, Neumoegen and Dyar
1894). Forewing very light gray with an irregular network of black
reticulations heavier and more distinct in wing center. Wingspan 60 to 80
mm. Antennae and labial palpi black, and head gray with yellowish gray
collar. Thorax gray with incomplete dark collar anteriorly and two
transverse black marks posteriorly. Gray abdomen. Females
distinguishable from males by their slightly heavier bodies, lighter gray color,
less distinct reticulation on hindwings, and threadlike antennae. Male
antennae feathery.
Larva. Cream colored, shiny, and hairless with dark brown head
and thoracic shield, and 35 to 40 mm long (Furniss and Carolin 1977).
Biology. Adults emerge in July and deposit their eggs in bark
crevices of host trees. Young larvae tunnel under the bark initially, then
produce extensive galleries in the wood. Little is known of the life
history; hosts and geographical range are similar to those of A. centerensis,
and habits and development are probably similar also.
Injury and Damage. Frass can be found in bark crevices of
actively infested trees. Entrance holes and bark scars on the trunk
provide evidence of infestation. Galleries with blackened walls up to 13
mm in diameter may extend deep into the wood. Heavily infested boles may
be so riddled with tunnels that they break (Furniss and Carolin 1977).
Populations are localized and widely scattered, which minimizes the overall
importance.
Control. Nothing is known of the natural enemies or other
controls.
Adult(s). James Solomon,
USDA Forest Service. |
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