Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852
Dioryctria zimmermani
This record describes Dioryctria zimmermani (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Revised description by Heinrich, is online. Dioryctria zimmermanni was first found in Indiana in 1956 and has become a serious pest concern for Christmas tree growers. There are many websites with information on the pest status.
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
Associated with pine forests and Christmas tree farms. ( 3 )
Geographic Range
California to British Columbia, and throughout the Northeast. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most often reported from June to October. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on all Pine species, especially Austrian and Scotch Pine. ( 3 )
Life History
Adults moths emerge in late summer and deposit eggs on the bark. The larvae do not feed after hatching and only spin a silken chamber in which to overwinter. The larval feeding begins in spring. ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dioryctria zimmermani. 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 Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , JohnMaxwell22
Frequently Asked Questions About Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852
What is Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852?
Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 (Dioryctria zimmermani) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852?
Wingspan to 25-37 mm.
How do you identify Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852?
Revised description by Heinrich, is online.
Where is Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Associated with pine forests and Christmas tree farms. ( 3 ) |
| Range | California to British Columbia, and throughout the Northeast. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 eat?
The diet of the Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 includes Larvae feed on all Pine species, especially Austrian and Scotch Pine. ( 3 ).
When is Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852 active?
Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852: seasonal activity - Adults are most often reported from June to October. ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Zimmerman Pine Moth - Hodges#5852?
Adults moths emerge in late summer and deposit eggs on the bark. The larvae do not feed after hatching and only spin a silken chamber in which to overwinter. The larval feeding begins in spring. ,