Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Purple-striped Shootworm (Zeiraphera unfortunana)

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. Plump body with contrasting broad areas of purplish brown and light brown. Orange head; brownish prothoracic shield with darkest brown on posterior half and with light anterior margin; dark brown thoracic legs. Purplish brown dorsum and broad spiracular stripe, both contrasting with broad, light brown subdorsal stripe; margin of dorsum with row of light brown spots; apparent indentations in subdorsal stripe. Supraspiracular spots ringed in brown; dark brown spiracles. Up to 10 mm.

Food. White spruce, especially in exposed areas; uncommonly other spruces and balsam fir.

Life Cycle. One generation. Egg overwinters near base of shoot with new growth. Mature caterpillar present from May to July.

Comments. The feeding habits of this species and the spruce bud moth, Zeiraphera canadensis, are similar. The purple-striped shootworm also can be a pest in plantations of white spruce.

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