Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Hemlock Angle (Macaria fissinotata)

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. Green body with darkly marked head, with largely bluish white dorsum, and with pale stripes. Grayish green head with lobes streaked with brown to reddish brown; streak on lobes with dark brown herringbone pattern and with yellow margins (extensions of subdorsal and spiracular stripes); reddish to dark brown thoracic legs. Dark green middorsal stripe distinctly edged with white; bluish white frosting over most of dorsum; white subdorsal stripe with narrow, dark green longitudinal line immediately below. White spiracular stripe tinged with yellow near spiracles; narrow yellowish band at hind margin of segments. Up to 22 mm.

Food. Balsam fir, eastern hemlock, and uncommonly spruces.

Life Cycle. One to two generations. Pupa overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present from July to November.

Comments. Even though the spiracular stripes usually are less distinct in this species than the spruce fir looper, Macaria signaria dispuncta, the identification of these species should be based upon reared adults. Both caterpillars are well camouflaged on the foliage of their food plants. The hemlock angle formerly was known as Semiothisa fissinotata.

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