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THE LIFE HISTORY, BIOLOGY, AND PARASITES OF THE PINE CANDLE MOTH, EXOTELEIA NEPHEOS (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE), ON SCOTCH PINE IN MICHIGAN1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Fred Paul Hain  and
William E. Wallner
Fred Paul Hain
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
William E. Wallner
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
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Abstract

The pine candle moth, Exoteleia nepheos Freeman, poses a serious threat to plantation and ornamental pines. It mines in Scotch pine needles during the early stages of larval development and enters the bud during the first flush of spring growth; thereby destroying the trees’ aesthetic appearance and value as a Christmas tree. Heavily attacked trees are severely stunted and eventually die. Adults are active from mid-June to mid-August, ovipositing in needle sheaths or along twigs. Eggs hatch in about 10 days with larvae overwintering in the needles where high winter mortality may occur. Parasitism by Copidosoma deceptor Miller (Encyrtidae) is an important biological factor in controlling E. nepheos. Approximately 37.63% of the population in one Michigan stand was parasitized and about 80% of this was by C. deceptor. Peak emergence of the pine candle moth will occur 1060 ± 32 degree days above 52°F threshold temperature.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 105 , Issue 1 , January 1973 , pp. 157 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1973

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