Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Green Hemlock Needleminer (Coleotechnites apicitripunctella)

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. Yellowish green body with orange-brown head and prothoracic shield. Prothoracic shield with light gray anterior margin; many small, dark green spots conspicuous on pale body segments. Up to 7 mm.

Food. Eastern hemlock.

Life Cycle. One generation. Partly grown caterpillar overwinters in hollowed needle in its feeding nest. Mature caterpillar present in May and June.

Comments. The feeding habits and webbed nest (see below) of this caterpillar are similar to those of the brown hemlock needleminer, Coleotechnites macleodi. The two needleminers can be separated by their color. Freeman (1967) and Johnson and Lyon (1991) also have illustrated the damage caused by the green hemlock needleminer.

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