« Back

Thaumetopoea pinivora

eastern pine processionary moth

Description

This pine defoliator resembles the pine processionary moth T. pytiocampa. The life cycle of T. pityocampa differs slightly from that of T. pinivora. While T. pinivora has a two-year life cycle, T. pityocampa completes its cycle in one year. Both species are gregarious throughout the larval stage, but T. pityocampa constructs silk nests where the larvae stay when resting (T. pinivora do not build silken nests). Pupation takes place in the soil in summer. Adults are on the wing in autumn. Eggs are laid on pine needles shortly after female emergence and hatch in spring of the following year. The larvae go through five instars and feed until summer when they leave the trees in typical processions to search for suitable sites in the soil for cocoon spinning. Although T. pinivora is common, heavy defoliation occurs very rarely. Present in the northern part of Europe (Germany, Denmark) and Spain, mainly on Pinus sylvestris.

Symptom

Larvae crawling in a typical procession to search for suitable sites in the soil for cocoon spinning.

Tree Species: Pine

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No