Sugar Pine Tortrix - Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests

Sugar Pine Tortrix

Choristoneura lambertiana (Busck)

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 pine, ponderosa pine, and limber pine. Distribution--Wherever hosts are found in Idaho and Montana.

Damage. – In the spring, larvae mine needle sheaths and staminate flowers. Later, up to 90 percent of the new growth can be consumed. Repeated defoliation can cause top kill.

Identification. – This insect is closely related to western spruce budworm and closely resembles it in all life stages. Larvae are generally smaller than budworm larvae. Look for larvae or pupae in silken nests of webbed, chewed needles on current year's shoots from June until August (fig. 131). Larger larvae are about three-fourths inch long and brown to rust color with ivory spots like the western spruce budworm. Pupae are smaller than the western spruce budworm, are generally yellow-brown with darker brown abdominal segments. Moths also are similar to budworm adults, present in August and lay egg masses on older needles.

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Figure 131 - Chewed and webbed needles
showing damage caused by feeding of Sugar
Pine Tortrix larvae. Damage is similar to
that of western spruce budworm.

Similar damages. – Easily confused with western spruce budworm where budworm is found feeding on pines. Damage may also be mistaken for that caused by pine needle sheathminer. Larvae of the sheathminer are smaller, orange in color. Needles can be pulled from sheaths.

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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