True Fir : Coneworms

(revision date: 4/20/2015)

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology

Coneworms attack trees by boring into shoot tips or stems, especially around wounds, and feeding on the soft bark tissues. Tip dieback may result from coneworm feeding. They may also bore into green cones, or feed on the soft bark of young growth or inside the bark on the trunk. The coneworms are small and light brown with a darker head. The adult coneworm is a mottled gray moth. Coneworms also attack pines, hemlocks, Douglas fir, and spruces.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Remove and destroy infested twigs and cones when possible.
Plant non-susceptible conifers where coneworms are a serious pest.
Natural enemies of the coneworm are likely.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Coneworm on pine Photo by: K. Grey
Caption: Coneworm damage Photo by: L.J. du Toit

WSU Extension

Hortsense