Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Pine Powder Moth (Eufidonia convergaria)

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 prominent, pale subdorsal and spiracular stripes. Yellowish green head sometimes faintly marked with brown on lobes; blue lower frons and labrum; green prothoracic shield and anal plate. Dark green middorsal stripe; yellowish subdorsal stripe less distinct than white spiracular stripe; subventral stripe margined with dark green. Up to 25 mm.

Food. Mainly eastern white pine.

Life Cycle. One generation. Pupa overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present from July to September.

Comments. The food plant and the absence of red subspiracular stripe on the thorax distinguish this species from the powder moth, Eufidonia notataria. The green body with pale stripes allows both caterpillars to be inconspicuous on the foliage of their food plants. The pine powder moth also resembles species of Macaria on eastern white pine. The species of Macaria differ by having distinct reddish brown markings on the head, a whitish dorsum, conspicuous subdorsal stripes, or some combination of these characteristics.

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