when to treatment for zimmerman pine moth in illinois

Full Answer

What do Zimmerman pine moths do?

Description of Zimmerman pine moths. Zimmerman pine moth has long been a pest of pines in the Midwest but has become increasingly noticeable in the past few years. The larva of this moth species is a borer that attacks pine tree trunks and lateral branches. Trees rarely are killed by this insect but they are disfigured as branches die.

What are the symptoms of Zimmerman pine moth?

Early symptoms of Zimmerman pine moth (ZPM) attack are usually the wilting and browning of new tree growth. Infested terminals wilt and curve downward to resemble a “fish-hook” or “shepherd’s crook.” Eventually entire branches or tree tops will turn brown and break off.

Where do pine moth caterpillars go in the winter?

Zimmerman pine moth spends the winter as a young caterpillar in a shallow pit that it digs in the bark. When the weather warms in early April, this caterpillar crawls out of its resting place along the exposed bark surface to where the pine tree branches join the main trunk.

Do moths kill pine trees?

The larva of this moth species is a borer that attacks pine tree trunks and lateral branches. Trees rarely are killed by this insect but they are disfigured as branches die. Borer damage can weaken trees and cause trunks or branches to break off during heavy ice, snow or wind.

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How do you treat Zimmerman pine moth?

Control. Zimmerman pine moth can be controlled with insecticides that applied to the surface of the tree during periods when the caterpillars are still on the exterior of the tree. There are no insecticides that can kill the insect after it has tunneled within the tree.

What does the Zimmerman pine moth look like?

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.

What do pine moths eat?

At first, Zimmerman pine moth larvae feed on tree bark and later tunnel into the cambium area of new growth on the terminal and lateral branches. These damaged terminals become “fish-hooked” and needles turn yellowish-green. Eventually, the affected shoot dies and turns brown.

Do moths like pine trees?

Pine tip moths—Rhyacionia spp. Larvae of this group of moths (family Tortricidae) chew and feed inside of and on pine needles and terminals. Rhyacionia species are pests primarily in Southern California and on Monterey pine, especially when the pine is planted away from the coast.

When should I spray for pine tip moth?

For most pines, this typically occurs from late April through early May. Treatment timing for the pinyon tip moth is less well known. Thorough insecticide treatment in May should be effective if applied to new growth before overwintering Dioryctria larvae enter buds.

Why do caterpillars walk in circle?

They're marching toward a pupation site, where they can bury themselves on the soil and form cocoons. Each caterpillar is drawn forward by the ass of the caterpillar ahead of it.

Why do caterpillars walk in a line?

They travel in long lines of hundreds or more in search of food or a suitable place to begin the transformation into their adult form: the bag-shelter moth (Ochrogaster lunifer). Together they present a formidable number of irritant hairs to predators and the conga line helps prevent them getting lost.

What does the pine processionary moth look like?

What is the pine processionary moth? Adult moths have cream forewings with brown markings, white hindwings and a wingspan of 31–45 mm. The adults are difficult to distinguish from other species of moth. The adults emerge from soil where they pupate and fly in the summer, no further than 1.7km.

What is a Zimmerman pine moth?

Description of Zimmerman pine moths. Zimmerman pine moth has long been a pest of pines in the Midwest but has become increasingly noticeable in the past few years. The larva of this moth species is a borer that attacks pine tree trunks and lateral branches. Trees rarely are killed by this insect but they are disfigured as branches die.

When do Zimmerman pine moths lay their eggs?

Life cycle of Zimmerman pine moths. The small, gray ZPM adults are most abundant from late July to mid-August. The females lay their eggs on tree trunks, usually near wounds such as old borer damage and yellowbellied sapsucker feeding holes. The larvae emerge from the eggs by late August and crawl under loose bark scales or into wounds to spend ...

What is the damage caused by Zimmerman pine moths?

Damage caused by Zimmerman pine moths. ZPM causes the greatest damage to Scots, Austrian and red pines, though other species may be attacked. Infestation is determined by the presence of resin or pitch masses on the tree trunks where the larvae are feeding beneath the bark.

When to spray a sycamore tree for larvae?

Suggested times are mid-August before hibernation or mid-April before larvae tunnel into the trunk.

How to get rid of ZPM?

If there is a limited infestation on one or a few trees, remove pitch masses in mid summer and dig out the larvae with a knife and discard.

When do pheromones hatch?

During the day they’ll lie motionless relying on their camouflage to keep them hidden from predators. Eggs will hatch in late summer through fall so exterior sprays can really impact the activity by breaking the cycle, covering up pheromones and ending the larvae activity before they begin boring for the winter.

How much Prothor should I use for a 10 inch tree?

For a tree 10 inches wide, you’ll want to use at least 1-2 oz of Prothor mixed in 5 gallons of water. This treatment can be done any time of the year and should be done annually. QTY.

Can Zimmerman moths be found in trees?

Such is the case with Zimmerman Pine Moths. Fortunately there are a few products that work well at controlling local infestations because how the Zimmerman moths infest ...

Do Zimmerman moths like Scotch?

And the treatments for these other pests will work equally well on the Zimmerman moths. As you may or may not know, Zimmerman moths hatch as worm like larvae which feed on any species of pine but seem to really like Austrian and Scotch.

When do Zimmerman moths feed?

The young Zimmerman moth caterpillars spend winter in the bark of its host tree. When the weather warms, the caterpillars bore into the tree where they will feed. This feeding typically begins in April and lasts for several months. In august the adult moths emerge from the tree. After mating, Zimmerman moths will lay their eggs on the bark of the tree. The eggs hatch and the caterpillars will feed on the bark until the winter.

How do Zimmerman moths affect trees?

A tree that is infested with Zimmerman moth will show a browning and wilting of new tree growth . Infested areas will tend to wilt downward in a recognizable "fishhook" shape. Eventually that damage will spread and cause the death of the entire branch. The larvae of the Zimmerman moth will spend the winter in the bark of the tree. In the spring they will bore deeper into the tree where the larvae will feed. This deep feeding is what causes the most significant damage to the host tree.

Distribution

Symptoms and Damage

• Early symptoms of Zimmerman pine moth (ZPM) attack are usually the wilting and browning of new tree growth. Infested terminals wilt and curve downward to resemble a “fish-hook” or “shepherd’s crook.” Eventually entire branches or tree tops will turn brown and break off. Infestations can be detected by the presence of resin masses covered with white...

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Description

Trees Attacked

Possibilities For Control