Mountain pine coneworm, Dioryctria yatesi Mutuura & Munroe (41)

BIOLOGY. - Little is known about the mountain pine coneworm, which was only recently recognized as a new species. It is known only from Table Mountain pine cones. Pupation occurs in the infested cones, and the moths emerge in late summer and early fall (August-September). The complete life cycle is unknown.

INSECT IDENTIFICATION. - Larvae of the mountain pine coneworm resemble those of the southern pine coneworm but are off-white to pale green, usually tinted light purplish-pink on the upper surfaces.

Moths are variable in color. Forewings are slate gray to mixed gray and brown with white crossbands and diffuse markings somewhat similar to those of the south coastal
coneworm. Raised tufts of strongly reflexed scales on the forewings of this coneworm separate it from the south coastal coneworm. Hind wings are pale tan, shaded gray at the margins.

Adult. (2 1/2X)

Larva. (2 1/2X)

DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION. - Maturing larvae infesting Table Mountain pine cones produce noticeable breaks in the cone surface in addition to the entry holes. Frass accurnulations, lightly webbed, are often piled up on the upper cone surfaces and lodged between cones.

Damage to Table Mountain pine cone. (1X)

IMPORTANCE. - This insect is apparently prevalent only on Table Mountain pine, and occasionally occurs locally in destructive abundance.