Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Pitch Pine Budworm (Choristoneura pinus maritima)

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. Light grayish body with pale spots in dark brown bands around body segments; variable body color. Orange-brown head, prothoracic shield, and anal plate; shield with light anterior margin and with two or more dark brown marks at hind margin; dark brown thoracic legs. Grayish upper two-thirds of body contrasts with lighter lower one-third. Pair of offset, grayish subdorsal spots on most segments; single pale spot above and below each abdominal spiracle. Prolegs on A3 to A6 reduced in size, but those on A10 of normal size. Up to 22 mm.

Food. Jack, pitch, and other hard pines.

Life Cycle. One generation. Young caterpillar overwinters under bark or in another sheltered place. Mature caterpillar present in June and July.

Comments. This caterpillar can vary in the color of the head, the prothoracic shield, or the rest of the body. For instance, unlike the photographed specimen, the head and shield can be mostly dark brown. Except for the food plant, the feeding habits of this species and the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, are similar. For example, in spring the pitch pine budworm usually forms a web among developing needles and male flowers.

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