Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Pale Juniper Webworm (Aethes rutilana)

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. Dull yellow body with orange-brown head and prothoracic shield. Up to 11 mm.

Food. Common juniper.

Life Cycle. One generation. Caterpillar overwinters in silken shelter on a twig. Mature caterpillar present from May to July.

Comments. After hatching, this caterpillar mines needles. It spends the winter in a silk-lined, frass-covered case that is attached to a branch. In spring, the caterpillar webs foliage where it feeds (see below). The feeding nest typically has dead, often mined needles and frass in the center. This species sometimes infests native and non-native junipers in landscaped areas.

[ Contents ]     [ Previous ]     [ Next ]     [ Home ]