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Dioryctria abietivorella (D. abietella) (Pyralidae (Phycitidae))
Insect:
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Medium-sized greyish moth, wingspan 28 mm. This is not the
injurious stage. Forewings are narrow blended dark and light grey, with diffuse,
white 'w' shaped cross bands near midpoint and wing tip. |
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Larvae:
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Mature larva is reddish with a brown head, extremely active
when disturbed. Feed from June to September. Pupate in cocoons on the ground. |
Damage:
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Larva feeds voraciously, tunnelling indiscriminately through
scales and seeds. It leaves round holes and considerable amounts of coarse
frass on the surface of the cones that is held together by webbing. One larva
can destry a whole cone. A heavy infestation can destry 100% of a cone (and
seed) crop. |
Principal Hosts:
Douglas-fir
and
Abies
spp. primarily, but will attack cones of many coniferous species.
Economic Importance:
Very significant damage in Douglas-fir cones.
References and Links:
EAG: 545, 547-549;
Fact sheet.
Additional Images:
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