pine processionary moth
(Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Origin
Native to North America.
Life Cycle
There is a single generation per year, overwintering as an egg. Caterpillars feed on young leaves. Caterpillars have a general looper appearance often imitating twigs. Variable coloration, from brown to green often with chevrons. Pupating on host. Adults will be found in August. General appearance is a triangular moth at rest, with several wavy brown to orange color bands and small head. Adults have a 2.5 cm wingspan. Species are highly variable and require DNA or dissection for species level ID.
Hosts include many Vaccinium and Ribes species.
Distribution
Fourteen species native to North Americas, five found in Alaska.
Control Efforts
General damage is usually light. High value ornamentals can be protected with a BT spray when caterpillars are active.
Resources
http://www.pyrgus.de/Eulithis_populata_en.html
https://bugguide.net/node/view/41885
https://bugguide.net/node/view/76317
Image Resource
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7204
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7200
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7201
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7199
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7207
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Geometridae
Tribe
Cidariini
Genus
Eulithis Hübner, 1821
Native to North America.
Life Cycle
There is a single generation per year, overwintering as an egg. Caterpillars feed on young leaves. Caterpillars have a general looper appearance often imitating twigs. Variable coloration, from brown to green often with chevrons. Pupating on host. Adults will be found in August. General appearance is a triangular moth at rest, with several wavy brown to orange color bands and small head. Adults have a 2.5 cm wingspan. Species are highly variable and require DNA or dissection for species level ID.
Hosts include many Vaccinium and Ribes species.
Distribution
Fourteen species native to North Americas, five found in Alaska.
Control Efforts
General damage is usually light. High value ornamentals can be protected with a BT spray when caterpillars are active.
Resources
http://www.pyrgus.de/Eulithis_populata_en.html
https://bugguide.net/node/view/41885
https://bugguide.net/node/view/76317
Image Resource
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7204
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7200
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7201
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7199
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7207
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Geometridae
Tribe
Cidariini
Genus
Eulithis Hübner, 1821
Selected Images
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: Hexapoda |
| Class: Insecta |
| Subclass: Pterygota |
| Infraclass: Neoptera |
| Superorder: Holometabola |
| Order: Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: Noctuoidea |
| Family: Notodontidae |
| Subfamily: Thaumetopoeinae |
| Genus: Thaumetopoea |
| Thaumetopoea pityocampa |
Other System Links
NPDN Pest: ITBDANA
References
Common Name Reference: Web Search - http://www.pherobase.com/database/commonname/common-names-index-eng.php
Scientific Name Reference: Web Search - ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/notodontidae/thaumetopoeinae/thaumetopoea/index.html