Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

False Hemlock Looper (Nepytia canosaria)

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.

Description. Bluish green body with spotted head and prothoracic shield and with distinct pale stripes. Bluish green head and green prothoracic shield with black spots. Dark green middorsal stripe; white and yellow subdorsal stripe trimmed with dark green; black spiracles; yellow subspiracular stripe. Black spots on dorsum of A9, prolegs, and anal plate; yellow band at hind margin of segments. Up to 25 mm.

Food. Balsam fir, eastern hemlock, spruces, and occasionally other conifers.

Life Cycle. One generation. Egg overwinters on foliage. Mature caterpillar present from July to September.

Comments. With its spotted bluish green head and distinctive stripes, this caterpillar cannot be confused with any other species on conifers. In late summer, it constructs a flimsy cocoon and transforms into a green and white pupa, which is very difficult to detect on the foliage of balsam fir and hemlock. In southern New England, the caterpillar is very common on eastern hemlock.

[ Contents ]     [ Previous ]     [ Next ]     [ Home ]