Pine Tip Moth Damage on Ponderosa, Austrian, Scotch, and Jack Pine
Larvae of this small moth tunnel into new shoots, killing tips and stunting the growth of Ponderosa, Austrian, Scotch, and Jack pines.
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Host trees and identification
Pine tip moths create damage primarily on Ponderosa, Austrian, Scotch, and Jack pine trees. Larvae range in color from yellowish-white to pink to reddish-orange, with dark heads.
Mature Nantucket and Western pine tip moth larvae measure 9 to 12 mm in length, while southwestern variants reach 12 to 15 mm when fully developed. Adult moths are most often a mottled reddish-brown and gray, though appearance varies by species.
Life cycle
Nantucket pine tip moths pupate in buds over winter, while other tip moth species pupate in the ground. Generation frequency also varies by species: Nantucket produces two to four generations annually, Western produces one to two, and Southwestern produces just one.
Signs of damage
Larvae mine needles, buds, and new shoots, killing shoots and stunting growth. Old infested tips crumble when squeezed. On southwestern species, infested shoots typically turn brown and bend over in a shepherd's crook formation — a distinctive symptom to watch for.
