Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Gray Spruce Looper (Caripeta divisata)

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. Mostly reddish brown body with low, transverse dorsal ridges and with light-colored lateral patches; variable body color. Brownish head marked in dark brown herringbone pattern on lobes. Multicolored middorsal stripe expanded posteriorly on segments into circular or diamond-shaped area; rear of segments with dorsal ridge that has small, paired tubercles. Uneven, yellowish subdorsal stripe infused with reddish brown and edged in dark brown. Broad, discontinuous, greenish white spiracular stripe (appearing as large spots before spiracles on A1 to A6) outlined above with very dark brown. Up to 35 mm.

Food. Balsam fir, eastern hemlock, eastern larch, northern white-cedar, spruces, and rarely pines.

Life Cycle. One generation. Pupa overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present from August to October.

Comments. This caterpillar also has forms that are mostly brown or grayish brown. Among the various Caripeta species, the gray spruce looper has the broadest range of food plants. The caterpillars in this genus vary greatly in color and pattern; thus, their identification should be based upon reared adults.

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