Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Morrison's Pero (Pero morrisonaria)

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 and brownish body with angular head, dark middorsal stripe, and scattered dark warts; variable body color. Dark brown head with transverse, light brown streak across front and with lighter brown lobes swollen and almost pointed. Dark brown middorsal stripe; inconspicuous pair of narrow, meandering dark brown subdorsal stripes. Dark brown spiracles; prominent spiracular swelling on A3 with large, dark tubercle below. Up to 35 mm.

Food. Balsam fir, eastern hemlock, eastern larch, pines, and spruces; records of broad-leaves trees and shrubs probably erroneous.

Life Cycle. One generation. Pupa overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present mainly in July and August.

Comments. This caterpillar is an excellent twig mimic. Other color forms are pictured by Ives and Wong (1988) and Wagner et al. (2001).

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