Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841
Dioryctria abietivorella
This record describes Dioryctria abietivorella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing blackish-gray with black zigzag AM and PM lines, bordered by white; irregular white discal spot in median area; black blotch present inside AM line at costa; hindwing light brownish-gray with pale fringe Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva: body light reddish-gray with dark dots and dark brown head larvae are economically important pests; they do not cause serious damage to the tree but in severe infestations can destroy an entire seed and cone crop, and can be particularly damaging in seed orchards
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Dioryctria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coniferous forests throughout range; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
coast to coast in southern Canada, south in the west to California, south in the east to North Carolina (absent from the US great plains)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to August larvae present from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae usually feed internally on cones, but may also feed on needles, twigs, and under bark of various conifers: mainly Balsam Fir in the east, and Douglas-fir in the west, plus various species of pine and spruce
Life History
adult lays eggs under scales of new cones or under bark; larva feeds from June to September, then drops to the ground and weaves a silk cocoon where it overwinters in the last larval instar stage or as a prepupa; pupation occurs the following spring; one generation per year
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: ABIETIVORELLA: the "abie" part refers to the fir genus Abies , one of the principal larval foodplants
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dioryctria abietivorella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841
What is Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841?
Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 (Dioryctria abietivorella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841?
wingspan about 25 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841?
Adult: forewing blackish-gray with black zigzag AM and PM lines, bordered by white; irregular white discal spot in median area; black blotch present inside AM line at costa; hindwing light brownish-gray with pale fringe Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva: body light reddish-gray with dark dots and dark brown head
Where is Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous forests throughout range; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | coast to coast in southern Canada, south in the west to California, south in the east to North Carolina (absent from the US great plains) |
What does Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 eat?
The diet of the Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 includes larvae usually feed internally on cones, but may also feed on needles, twigs, and under bark of various conifers: mainly Balsam Fir in the east, and Douglas-fir in the west, plus various species of pine and spruce.
When is Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841 active?
Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to August larvae present from June to September.
What is the life cycle of a Fir Coneworm - Hodges#5841?
adult lays eggs under scales of new cones or under bark; larva feeds from June to September, then drops to the ground and weaves a silk cocoon where it overwinters in the last larval instar stage or as a prepupa; pupation occurs the following spring; one generation per year