White Pine Cone Borer

Appearance

Adult: forewing dark reddish-brown with large distinct orangish-yellow patches that often merge to create an irregular light-and-dark banding effect; hindwing brownish-gray with pale fringe; top of head yellow

Larva: grub-like; thoracic segments light greenish-brown; abdominal segments yellowish with no distinct dark patch (anal shield) on top of last segment [present in larvae of Shortleaf Pine Cone Borer (Eucosma cocana); head dark brown

Distribution

Minnesota to Quebec, south in the Appalachians to northern Georgia

Food

Larvae feed on second-year cones of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) and Virginia Pine (P. virginiana)