Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Juniper Looper (Eupithecia interruptofasciata)

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. Slender, green body with pale spiracular stripe. Yellowish green head mottled with reddish brown on lobes; yellowish green thoracic legs. Dark green middorsal stripe; yellow and white spiracular stripe. Yellow annulations on segments; narrow yellow band at hind margin of segments; anal plate usually with brown to reddish brown in center and yellow laterally. Up to 14 mm.

Food. Common juniper.

Life Cycle. One generation. Egg overwinters. Mature caterpillar present from May to July.

Comments. One variety of this caterpillar has an indistinct, whitish subdorsal stripe. Although the juniper looper superficially resembles the red-striped juniper looper, Thera juniperata, it lacks the purplish red spiracular stripe.

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