Western False Hemlock Looper - Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests

Western False Hemlock Looper

Nepytia freemani Munroe

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

Hosts. – Douglas-fir.

Distribution. – May be found throughout host range.

Damage. – Young larvae feed on underside of new foliage causing needles to shrivel and die. Later in season, older needles are fed upon. Larvae are capable of stripping foliage from the upper half of trees in one season.

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Figure 101 - Mature larva of Western False Hemlock Looper.	Figure 102 - Mature larva of Western Hemlock Looper.
Identification. – Look for "inch worm" larvae on foliage from June into August. Mature larvae are about 1 inch long, a deep tan color. They can be distinguished by a yellow, broad ventral stripe bordered by several darker stripes (fig. 101), as compared to western hemlock looper larvae which have diamond-shaped markings (fig. 102). Naked pupae can be seen on foliage in August. Pupae are about five-eighths inch long, and vary from yellow-green to bright green with black and yellow markings. Moths are mottled gray and black with a 1-inch wingspan (fig. 103). Females lay their overwintering eggs in clusters on needles.	Image Unavailable
	Figure 103 - Adult Western False Hemlock Looper moth.

Similar damages. – Defoliation similar to western spruce budworm, western hemlock looper, and Douglas-fir tussock moth damage. Larvae are very distinct, however.

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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