Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Powder Moth (Eufidonia notataria)

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. Dark green body with conspicuous, pale spiracular stripe and purplish red subspiracular stripe. Yellowish green head spotted with dark brown on lobes; dark green prothoracic shield and anal plate, the latter speckled with brown. Dark green middorsal stripe; very faint, yellowish green subdorsal stripe; white spiracular stripe adjoins subspiracular stripe. Up to 25 mm.

Food. Balsam fir, eastern hemlock, eastern larch, and spruces.

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

Comments. This caterpillar resembles several other species that eat the same kinds of foliage. The powder moth can be separated from the others by its purplish red subspiracular stripe that usually is most evident on the thorax. The adult of the powder moth flies during both the day and the night.

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