Hemlock Looper – Lambdina fiscellaria

Hemlock Looper – Lambdina fiscellaria   Common Name: Hemlock Looper Latin Name: Lambdina fiscellaria Appearance: The Hemlock Looper is a moth species that has wings that are brownish-gray or grayish-green in color. The wingspan of an adult moth can range from 2 to 3 cm. The wings are also marked with dark and light bands, giving them a characteristic looping flight pattern. The Hemlock Looper’s larvae are typically green, with white stripes running down the sides of their bodies. Egg: The eggs of the Hemlock Looper are small and cylindrical and are laid in groups on the needles of hemlock and other trees. Pupa: The Hemlock Looper pupae are brown and formed in a cocoon in the soil or on the bark of trees. Larva: The larvae of the Hemlock Looper are typically green in color, with white stripes running down the sides of their bodies. They have three pairs of legs and a pair of prolegs on the abdomen. Adults: The adult Hemlock Looper moths have a wingspan of 2 to 3 cm and are brownish-gray or grayish-green in color. The wings are marked with dark and light bands, giving them a characteristic looping flight pattern. Host plant: The Hemlock Looper feeds on the needles of hemlock trees and other coniferous trees, including spruce and fir. Territory: The Hemlock Looper is found in forests throughout North America. Damages caused by Hemlock Looper: The Hemlock Looper can cause significant damage to coniferous trees, particularly hemlock trees. The larvae feed on the tree’s needles, causing defoliation and weakening the tree. In severe cases, the tree may be killed. The Hemlock Looper can also impact the forest ecosystem, affecting the growth and survival of other tree species and impacting wildlife that depends on the trees for habitat. Life history and Habits: The Hemlock Looper has a one-year life cycle. The adult moths emerge from their pupal stage in the late summer or early fall and lay their eggs on the needles of hemlock trees. The eggs hatch in the spring, and the larvae begin feeding on the hands of the trees. The larvae go through several stages of growth, shedding their skins each time before pupating in the soil or on the bark of trees. The pupae overwinter and emerge as adult moths the following summer. Outbreaks of Hemlock Looper populations can occur every 10 to 15 years, with the epidemic’s severity varying depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and precipitation.