Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Yellow-lined Conifer Looper (Cladara limitaria)

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 pale stripes and with single yellow bands at hind margin of segments. Yellowish green head. Mostly greenish white subdorsal and spiracular stripes, the latter about twice as wide and not extending uninterrupted to head. Prolegs smaller on A6 than A10; anal plate edged with yellow posteriorly; grayish white venter. Up to 25 mm.

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

Life Cycle. One generation. Pupa overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present in May and June.

Comments. The yellow-lined conifer looper and the angle-lined carpet, Cladara anguilineata, are similar in appearance and, in fact, may be the same species. The yellow-lined conifer looper superficially resembles the powder moth, Eufidonia notataria, and at least two species of Macaria, which eat similar conifers. The powder moth, however, usually has a purplish red subspiracular stripe on the thorax. The species of Macaria lack the reddish subspiracular stripe, but they have their heads distinctly marked with brown or reddish brown. The yellow-lined conifer looper usually tucks its head under the thorax when it is disturbed.

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