Blister coneworm, Dioryctria clarioralis (Walker) (21, 27, 33, 42, 43, 52, 53)

BIOLOGY. - The blister coneworm has three distinct generations per year in the Middle to Deep South. Flowers, buds, and shoots, as well as conelets and young cones, are attacked. Mature larvae
migrate from the infested material to pupate on twigs in thin cocoons covered with bits of shoot scales.

INSECT IDENTIFICATION. - Mature blister coneworm larvae are easily recognized by their brownish-orange color, which is often tinged with gray above and is paler beneath. Beadlike patterns of small pits are only moderately obvious on abdominal segments.

The moth is also distinctive: each forewing has a wide dark brownish-black band near the wing base.
The remainder of this wing is shaded in tones of brown to black with grayish-white crosslines and markings.

Larva. (2X)

Adult. (2 1/2X)

DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION. - Infested material has a very typical silk and resin blister, filled with frass, covering the entry hole. Infested buds or conelets are usually completely hollowed out.

Damage to shortleaf pine cones. (1X)

IMPORTANCE. - The blister coneworm seems of lesser importance than most coneworm species. It often occurs on longleaf pine but feeds in buds and shoots as well as conelets. This feeding pattern tends to minimize losses of conelets.