Dendrolimus punctatus

Dendrolimus • Lasiocampidae • Lepidoptera • Insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

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Dendrolimus punctatus mature larva (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International
Source: IPM Images

Dendrolimus punctatus moth (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Hsu Hong Lin
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dendrolimus punctatus (Walker, 1855) - (masson pine moth)

The moth is a pest of pine trees in southern China and other parts of eastern Asia. Especially masson pine, Pinus massoniana, and slash pine, P. elliottii, are attacked by the caterpillars. The damage caused can be extensive, retarding the growth of the pines and often killing the trees. Outbreaks have been commonly recorded since the 1950s.

The adult moths do not feed. The females lay masses of 300-400 eggs on the pines and the larvae feed on the needles. They first live gregariously and disperse later as 3rd instars. The mature larvae are 6-7 cm long. There are 2-4 generations per year with the 3rd or 4th instars of the last generation overwintering.