Pine Butterfly

Neophasia menapia (C. & R. Felder)

From: Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests, USDA Forest Service Northern Region, Publication Number R1-89-54

Hosts. – Ponderosa pine, white pine, lodgepole pine.

Distribution. – May be found throughout host range.

Damage. – Larvae feed in clusters on individual needles early in the season. Later, they feed singly, consuming entire needle. Older needles are eaten first but new needles may also be fed upon when populations are high.

branches, or stems. They are usually found during August. Adults are white butterflies with black wing markings and are seen flying around tree canopies from August through September (fig. 138).
Figure 137 - Mature larva of the Pine Butterfly.	Figure 138 - Adult Pine Butterfly.

Similar damages. – Other pine defoliators, especially pine sawfly, produce similar damage, but the pine butterfly's distinct characteristics of the larvae and adults help distinguish it.

Link to Images in Forestry Images

References.

Anonymous. 1982. For. Insect & disease identification and management. USDA For. Serv., Northern Region; Idaho Dept. of Lands, Insect and Disease Control; Montana Dept. of State Lands, Division of Forestry. 192 p.

Cole, W. E. 1971. Pine butterfly. USDA For. Serv., For. Pest Leaflet 66,4 p., illus.

Furniss, R. L., and V. M. Carolin. 1977.  Western For. Insects. USDA Forest Serv., Misc. pub. 1339, 654 p., illus.

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