Pecan Cigar Casebearer – Coleophora laticornella
Pecan Cigar Casebearer (Coleophora laticornella)
Common Name: Pecan Cigar Casebearer
Latin Name: Coleophora laticornella
Apperance:
The adult Pecan Cigar Casebearer is a small, unremarkable moth with wings that are about 7–9 mm long. Their front wings are greyish-brown, and their back wings are white with fringed ends. But it’s important to note that the larvae are more accessible to spot when they’re young. They make cigar-shaped bags that they carry using silk and plant matter.
Host Plants:
The Pecan Cigar Casebearer mostly lives on Carya illinoinensis pecan trees but can also be found on other hickory trees.
Territory:
They can be found in the southern and central United States, especially where pecan trees are grown.
Damages caused by Pecan Cigar Casebearer:
The stage that does the most damage is the Pecan Cigar Casebearer maggots. They get into the nuts through the shuck and eat them, which often causes them to fall off early. This can cause pecan growers to lose money and get lower returns.
Life History and Habits:
- Egg Stage:The female Pecan Cigar Casebearer moth lays eggs on pecan tree nuts that are still growing. It can be hard to find the eggs because they are so small.
- Larval Stage:Once the larvae hatch, they use silk and plant matter to make cases that look like cigars. They take these bags around with them while they eat nuts.
- Pupal stage:The pupal stage is when the larvae connect their cases to a tree branch or trunk and pupate inside.
- Adult Stage:The adult Pecan Cigar Casebearer comes out of the pupa and lays eggs on pecan nuts that are still growing. This starts the cycle all over again.