78 



IVIISC. PUBLICATION 273, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



The New Mexico fir looper {Galenara consimilis Hein.) (fig. 37) 

 has periodically destroyed timber over considerable areas in the 

 spruce-fir type at the higher elevations of the southern Rocky Moun- 

 tain region, particularly in New Mexico. Douglas fir seems to be 

 the preferred host, but balsam fir and sj^ruce foliage is also eaten. 



FiGURK 37. — The New Mexico fir looper {Galenara consimilis) : A, Male moth, x 13- 

 B, female moth, X 1-3 ; C, pupa, X 1.6 ; D, egg, greatly enlarged. (Drawings 'by 

 Edmonston.) 



BUD MOTHS, BUDWORMS, AND LEAF ROLLERS 



One group of moths, belonging largely to the family Tortricidae, 

 lay their eggs on the needles of coniferous trees or the leaves of 

 various broadleaved trees, and the young caterpillars feed on the 

 opening buds and new leaves or needles, drawing these together with 

 a silken web. Later, as they become larger, they may leave their pro- 

 tective web and feed openly on the leaves or older needles and if 

 numerous will completely defoliate the tree. When growth is com- 

 pleted the larvae transform to the pupal stage, usually in small 

 webs spun about the dead foliage at the tips of the branches, and 

 from these the full-grown moths emerge. 



Under normal conditions the damage consists only of a few dead 

 tips or partly eaten leaves. When buds are killed, subsequent 

 branching results at these points, but seldom is the life of the tree 

 threatened. Wlien epidemic outbreaks occur, large forest areas may 

 be completely defoliated and killed. 



