TS? MISC. PUBLICATION 273, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
PINE CONE MOTHS 
Pine cones are attacked early in the spring of their second year of 
growth by several species of cone moths. The caterpillars of one 
group are dirty white in color and about one-half inch in length when 
full grown. They burrow through the central axis of the cones and 
enter the seeds through the point of attachment. They are especially 
destructive to the seeds of ponderosa pine (fig. 6) and Jeffrey pine. 
Pupation takes place in the pith. The moths are small, one-half inch 
in length, and gray to black in color. The species included in this 
group are the following: 
Species Hosts and distribution 
Laspeyresia piperana Kearf_____~ Ponderosa pine and Jeffrey Pine. Cali- 
fornia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and 
Montana. 
Laspeyresia miscitata Hein__----— Ponderosa pine and Jeffrey pine. Cali- 
fornia, Oregon, and Nevada. 
Hedulta injectiva, Hein? = == Jeffrey pine and ponderosa pine. Cali- 
fornia, Oregon, and Nevada. 
Those which are 
most frequently in- 
volved in this type 
of injury belong to 
the genus Laspey- 
TSU. 
Other cone moths 
which attack pine 
cones bore tunnels 
through scales and 
seeds. The seeds and 
a large portion of 
the interior of the 
cone are destroyed. 
Sometimes the at- 
tack distorts and de- 
forms the cone or 
kills it before it 
reaches maturity. 
Most of the species 
of this group also 
feed on the succulent 
new growth of pines. 
FIGURE 6.—d@, Adult of the pine cone moth (Laspeyresia Their work 1s char- 
piperana) * 2; b, caterpillars feeding through ponderosa acterized by a resin- 
nes cone. and pupa in the pith. (Drawing by Edmon- ous exudation of 
pitch and larvel cast- 
ings mixed with webbing. The following species belong in this 
group: 
Species Hosts 
Dioryctria zanthaenobares Dyar__ Ponderosa pine, knobcone pine, and other 
pines. 
Dioryctria abietella D. and S_____ Pines, Douglas fir, balsam fir, and spruce. 
Eucosma bobana Kearf___________ Ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, and knobcone 
pine. 
Eucosma rescissoriana Hein-____- Lodgepole pine. 
