Pine Budworm – Sugar Pine Tortix – Choristoneura lambertina
Pine Budworm (Sugar Pine Tortrix) ,Choristoneura lambertiana
Common Name: Pine Budworm (Sugar Pine Tortrix)
Latin Name: Choristoneura lambertiana
Appearance:
In its caterpillar stage, the Pine Budworm is a tiny, cylindrical larva with a coloration that varies from light green to reddish-brown. Along its back, it has a unique design of spots. Its length as an adult moth is about 1.5 cm, and its brown wings may have darker areas on them.
Host Plants:
The Pine Budworm mainly attacks different kinds of pine trees, mostly the sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) and other Pinus species.
Territory:
Their natural habitat is in western North America, especially where pine trees grow in large numbers.
Damages caused by Pine Budworm – Sugar Pine:
The Pine Budworm’s caterpillars are the stage that does damage. They eat host pine tree leaves, buds, and young shoots. This food can cause problems with the new growth and less cone output; in the worst cases, it can kill the tree.
Life History and Habits:
- Egg Stage:The female Pine Budworm moth puts her small, pale yellow eggs on the leaves or buds of pine trees that help it survive.
- Larval Stage: Once hatched, the larvae feed on the buds, needles, and new shoots. They go through several instar stages, and each molt makes them more prominent.
- Pupal Stage:When the larvae are fully grown, they spin a fabric cocoon on the mother plant and pupate there.
- Adult Stage:The Pine Budworm moth emerges from its nest as an adult. When they mate, the female lays eggs to start a new family.