Pitch Moths in Utah What is making these pitch masses on pines? Pitch Moths in Utah The Moth People Want to Blame Zimmerman Pine Moth: Dioryctria zimmermani Pitch Moths in Utah Known Zimmerman Pine Moth Distribution Austrian Scotch Pondo Zimmerman Pine Moth Pitch Moths in Utah Other Pitch Makers: Pyralidae Pitch Nodule Moths Pinyon Pitch Mass Pinyon Tip Moth Retiniaspp. Dioryctria ponderosae Dioryctria albovittella Pinyon; ponderosa Ponderosa; pinyon; pinus Pinyon Pitch Moths in Utah Bark Beetles Ips Dendroctonus Pitch Moths in Utah Bark Beetles Canopy Exit Galleries Frass fading holes Pitch Moths in Utah Bark Beetles Disease/Abiotic? Pitch Moths in Utah So…What is it? Pitch Moths in Utah Only 3 Clearwing species attack Pinaceae in NA Pitch Moth Distribution Pitch Mass Borer Doug-Fir Pitch Moth Sequoia Pitch Moth Pitch Moths in Utah Pitch Mass Borer Synanthedon pini Hosts: Eastern white pine*; white spruce; jack pine; scotch pine Pitch Moths in Utah Douglas-Fir Pitch Moth Synanthedon novaroensis Hosts: Lodgepole pine; Douglas-Fir; Picea spp.; Pinus spp. Pitch Moths in Utah Sequoia Pitch Moth Synanthedon sequoiae Hosts: Pinus spp.; Picea spp.; Douglas-Fir Pitch Moths in Utah LarVal and Adult Collections Taken April 22, 2015 Pitch Moths in Utah LarVal Habits Gallery: Vertical and lateral; up to 5” Pitch Moths in Utah Pitch Moths in Utah Identification of Adult Moths Pitch Moths in Utah Identification of Adult Moths Pitch Moths in Utah Identification of Adult Moths S. novaroensis = S. sequoiae Pitch Moths in Utah Process of Elimination Sequoia Pitch Moth Doug-Fir Pitch Moth Pitch Mass Borer Likely our moth unless Not morphologically Not morphologically another undescribed species similar similar exists here PCR not a match Distribution eastern Pitch Moths in Utah Sequoia Pitch Moth Life Cycle LarVa: Always Present Pupae Egg Adult Flight • 1-2 Yr. life cycle • offset, oVerlapping generations Pitch Moths in Utah Sequoia Pitch Moth Biological Points • LarVae feed in cambium and sap/heartwood (primarily in spruces) • Young larVae usually in gallery; older in resin mass • LarVal feeding produces copious resin • LarVal feeding usually aesthetic; serious damage/death may occur • Adult females attracted to freshly pruned/damaged trees • Abandoned galleries are attractiVe to graVid females • Daytime flyers Pitch Moths in Utah Sequoia Pitch Moth Non-Chemical Control • Avoid pruning February – September • Avoid any mechanical injury to trees using buffer zones (mowers, weed-whippers, tree staking materials, etc.) • Select more resistant pines (they seem to faVor Austrian and scotch pine in UT) • Proper irrigation • Peeling pitch masses with larVae Pitch Moths in Utah Sequoia Pitch Moth Chemical Control • All fact sheets suggest that there are no recommended insecticides for this insect. • Systemic neonicitinoids ineffective against clearwings. • CoVer sprays ineffectiVe: Carbaryl, Bifenthrin, Permethrin • Does Emamectin Benzoate work? Boxer; TreeAge • John Brown, WA. Study suggests that it does work. Clearwing Moths in Utah There are Others… Lilac-Ash Borer Peachtree Borer Sycamore Borer Western Poplar Clearwing Raspberry Crown Borer Common Pests of Schools and Structures in Utah https://utahpests.usu.edu/schoolIPM/htm/pest-id-guide/ Ryan Davis [email protected] 435-797-2435 utahpests.usu.edu.