Sequoia Pitch Moth

Synanthedon sequoiae (Hy. Edwards)

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

Hosts. – Lodgepole and ponderosa pines.

Distribution. – Range of hosts in Idaho and Montana.

Damage. – Larvae bore beneath bark in phloem and outer layers of wood causing masses of pitch to form around their entrance holes (fig. 31).  Repeated attacks can girdle and kill young, small-diameter pines or cause them to break.  Attack sites are usually near root collar or just above.

Identification. – Pitch masses containing larvae are soft, whitish, and have some reddish boring dust mixed in (fig. 32).  These masses may be found in yellowish.  Mature larvae are yellow-white and about 1 inch long.  Two years may be required to complete development.  Brown pupal skins might be sticking out of masses in late June through July.  Adults are clearwing moths with black and yellow markings much like a wasp.

Similar damages. – Pitch masses may be mistaken for bark beetle-caused pitch tubes.  Those of the pitch moth are may larger and contain more pitch, less boring dust.  Removing bark should reveal large pitch moth larva.

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.

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

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