PestMedium Severity

Pine Tip Moth Larvae

Rhyacionia frustra

A destructive moth pest whose larvae bore into pine terminals and laterals, causing tip kill and deformation. Most commonly known as the Nantucket tip moth, these pests can seriously damage young pines and occasionally kill trees.

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Pine tip moth larvae damage showing dead terminal tips

Identification & Symptoms

What to Look For

Tips of terminals and laterals killed
Larvae boring deep into base of needles and buds
Boring damage into twigs
Young pines seriously deformed
Some pines killed back to a foot below terminal growth

Potential Damage

Terminal and lateral tip death
Serious deformation in young pines
Stunted growth and poor form
Occasional tree mortality
Multiple generations increase damage severity

Lifecycle

Overwintering pupae in damaged terminals and ground litter. Moths emerge April through June. Eggs laid on needles, buds, and new growth shoots. Larvae feed on surface initially, then migrate to shoot tips, make webs, and bore into tissues for 3-4 weeks before pupating.

Professional Treatment Approach

1

Insecticide applications during larval activity periods

2

Remove and destroy infested terminals

3

Improve growing conditions and tree vigor

4

Plant resistant pine species where appropriate

5

Time treatments based on local generation patterns

Recommended Mauget Products

Imicide

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against pine tip moth larvae.

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Dinocide

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against pine tip moth larvae.

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