Larch Casebearer
Coleophora laricella |
| USDA Forest Service. 1979. A guide to common insects and diseases of forest trees in the northeastern United States. Northeast. Area State Priv. For., For. Insect and Disease Management., Broomall, PA. p. 123, illus. |
The larch casebearer defoliates all native and introduced species of larch. First reported in Massachusetts in 1886, it has spread across the northern states throughout most of the range of larch. Feeding begins on new foliage in early spring, often allowing refoliation in the same season. Needles not completely consumed turn red. Growth reduction can follow a single defoliation, and trees die after two or more severe defoliations.
Eggs are deposited on the undersides of needles. Larvae feed as needle miners, and in late summer form cases within the mined needles. Before winter, casebearer larvae migrate to an outer twig or branch; they fasten their cases to the branch and overwinter. Larval cases, which help identify this insect, are most obvious after normal needle drop in the fall or winter. Pupation occurs after the fourth instar, and moths are present from late May until early July. There is one generation per year.
Adult(s)
Ladd Livingston, Idaho Department of Lands |
Larva(e); note brown cases on needle
Jerald E. Dewey, USDA Forest Service |
Damage; The needle tips turn brown due to feeding. |
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