Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Argyresthiids (Family Argyresthiidae)

Maier, C.T., C.R. Lemmon, J.M. Fengler, D.F. Schweitzer, and R.C. Reardon. 2004. Caterpillars on the Foliage of Conifers in the Northeastern United States. FHTET-2004-1. Morgantown, WV: USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team; 151 p.

The caterpillars of this small family are separated from closely related caterpillars by the pattern of their hairs and by the uniform length of their crochets, which are usually arranged in a circle. They have single pairs of prolegs on A3 to A6 and A10. Most caterpillars are small, typically 5 to 16 mm in length at maturity.

These caterpillars mine foliage or bore into buds, fruit, cones, or twigs. Although most species eat conifers, some prefer deciduous trees and shrubs. Argyresthiid caterpillars can cause economically important injury to conifers, especially pine, juniper, and northern white-cedar (arborvitae). Most caterpillars spin a white or mottled cocoon before they change to pupae.

The small adults usually have their wings marked with yellow, brown, or white. On spring days, the moths of the arborvitae pests may fly in clouds around landscape plantings of their food plants.

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