Pine: Pandora moth

categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects

revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00

brown-gray moth with black markings on the wings.
Pandora moth adult
Photo by: Unknown

Biology

Pandora moth larvae are brownish- to yellowish-green, spiny, and about one inch long at maturity. The larvae feed on the needles of pines, especially ponderosa, Jeffrey, and lodgepole. The stubs of eaten needles remain on the twigs and the crowns of infested trees are often thinned. The larvae may cause severe defoliation when there are large outbreaks. They travel in single file when moving to new feeding areas. The adult is a brown-gray moth with black markings on the wings. This is a sporadic pest of forest and landscape trees.

Management Options

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

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

  • Remove and destroy larvae by hand to control minor infestations.
  • It may be necessary to prune to improve the appearance of severely defoliated trees.

Chemical Management

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

  • None recommended