Douglas Fir: Sequoia pitch moth

Biology

The larvae of the sequoia pitch moth feed by boring into branches or trunks. At the point where the larva enters the wood, small to large masses of white to pinkish pitch accumulate. The larva feeds locally underneath the pitch mass. Although healthy trees are occasionally attacked, the egg-laying moths are probably attracted to wounds such as those made by spring pruning. The moths may also be attracted to trees undergoing stresses associated with drought or saturated soil. This pest causes mainly aesthetic damage because of the pitch masses. Incidentally, they do not attack Sequoia

Management Options

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

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Avoid mechanical injury to trunks and branches which may provide sites for infestation.
• Remove pitch masses and associated larvae by hand.

Chemical Management

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

• None recommended