Pinyon Pitch Mass Borer(Dioryctria ponderosae)Latin Name: Dioryctria ponderosae
Common Name: Pinyon pitch mass borer/ Pitch Mass Borer
Appearance:
The larvae are light pink or creamy caterpillars with a black head discovered beneath the pitch heap.
Larvae are 3/5-1 inch (15-25 mm) long, dirty white, pinkish, orange, light green, or light brown, and have dark dots in rows.
Adults are gray-brown snout moths with white zig-zag patterns about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and difficult to identify from other genus members.
Host plants:
Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) is the most common host, but Ponderosa pine and other pine species may also be found.
Territory:
Throughout in United States
Damage caused by Pinyon pitch mass borer:
Pinyon pines are drought-tolerant, resilient trees that work well in various Colorado environments. They provide good optical screening and wind protection and provide shelter and food for birds and other species. For tree health, site selection and correct maintenance are critical.
Life history and Habits:
Pinyon Pitch moth life cycles vary by species, but a generation can take anywhere from one to two years to complete. Adult moths are uncommon and difficult to distinguish from other species in the genus. They’re roughly 34″ long and greyish with zigzagging dark and bright streaks (Figure 1: right lower corner). The eggs are deposited in late July and August, and the chicks hatch in the late summer. Emerging larvae look for safe havens behind bark scales to spend the winter. From mid to late April, larvae become active and burrow beneath the bark. Larvae are between 34 and 1 inch long when fully developed and are off-white or pinkish in hue. They can be found under a thicket of the pitch.
