Pine conelet looper, Nepytia semiclusaria (Walker) (11, 25)

BIOLOGY. - The pine conelet looper has a single generation per year. It overwinters as an egg, presumably under bark scales. In early spring the eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the female flowers of slash, loblolly, and shortleaf pines. On slash pine the larvae soon migrate to new needles, but on loblolly and shortleaf pines they con- tinue to feed to maturity on the young conelets. Larvae often retreat into the foliage when not feeding. Pupation occurs in a flimsy web shelter among the needles, and adults emerge during the early sum- mer (June in the Georgia Piedmont).

INSECT IDENTIFICATION. - The mature larva of this looper is about 2.5 to 3.0 cm long, with an obvious brick-red dorsal stripe flanked by yellow stripes separated by a number of thin black and white lines. The orange head is marked with black spots. The moth is grayish-tan. Forewings are marked with two dark scalloped bands run- ning front to back.

Larva. (2X)

Adult. (3X)

DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION. - Flowers or conelets injured by this looper are either gouged or completely devoured to the sup- porting stalk.

Killed shortleaf pine conelets. (1X)

IMPORTANCE. - This insect is usually of minor importance but occasionally becomes epidemic and causes noticeable flower or conelet damage. Defoliation has been reported on sand pine.