Mimeo E-40
August, 1965
Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service
Department of Entomology
ZIMMERMAN PINE MOTH
The Zimmerman pine moth, Dioryctria zimmermani (Grote), is becoming increasingly important as a pest of pine trees in Indiana and the Midwest. The larva is capable of attacking and severely damaging most pine species in the north central part of the country, and poses a real threat to Christmas tree plantations in this area. In Indiana, the insect causes greatest injury to Scotch and red pines .
DISTRIBUTION
The Zimmerman pine moth was first found in the U.S. in 1879. Since then, it has been reported in 23 states, primarily in the northern part of the country. It was discovered in Indiana in the fall of 1956 and has now spread south to highway 40. Damage in the state has been as high as 65% infestation in a single plantation.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: The moth is small with a wingspan of about 1 to 1 1/2 inches . The body is gray; the fore-wings gray and mottled with zig-zag lines of red and gray; and the hind wings light tan, becoming darker near the edges . Adults are active only at night and are, therefore, rarely seen.
Eggs: These are round and cream-colored but turn light brown as they develop. Each female lays 20 to 30 eggs under bark flakes near wounds .
Larva: The full-grown caterpillar is about 3/4 inch long, has a brown head and a pink to greenish body, depending on the host and food supply. The body is covered
with small black dots and resembles a black-spotted, pink European corn borer.
Pupa: As the moth develops, the pupa turns from light to dark brown. It is about 3/4 inch long and has no spines.
LIFE CYCLE
The Zimmerman pine moth has one life cycle each year. Adults emerge one year after eggs are laid. Emergence is usually from June to September with the peak in mid-August. The adults live from a few days to two weeks . Most of the eggs are laid in mid-August and hatch in eight to 10 days.
The insect overwinters in the larval stage under the bark. Larvae can be found at any time of the year, but most reach maturity in late July. The pupa stage lasts 14 days in Indiana, but varies in other parts of the country.
HOSTS
The Zimmerman pine moth is known to attack any of these pine species common to the northern U.S .:
Norway red pine, Pinus resinosa (Ait.)
Scotch pine, P. sylvestris (L.)
Corican pine, P. nigra poireniana (Ant.)
Japanese red pine, P. densiflora (Sieb. and Zucc.)
Western yellow pine, P. ponderosae (Dougl.)
Lodgepole pine, P. contorta (Dougl.)
Eastern white pine, P. strobus (L.)
Jack pine, P. banksiana (Lamb)
Austrian pine, P. nigra (Arnold)