Spruce Needleminer

Appearance

The wingspan is about 12 mm.

Naming

Taniva albolineana (Kearfott, 1907)
Lipoptycha albolineana Kearfott, 1907 (1)
Endothenia albolineana
Argyroploce abietana Fernald, 1908
Olethreutes piceae Busck, 1916

Specific epithet is Latin meaning "white-lined," for the "several sordid white transverse lines" on the forewings.

Distribution

It is found in the northern United States and Canada.

Behavior

The larvae feed on various spruce tree species. They only feed on dead needles. They are green with a dark brown head. The species overwinters in the larval stage in constructed nests made up of live and dead spruce needles. Pupation occurs from late May to early June in a green pupa in a grey cocoon.

Adults are on wing from mid-June to early July in one generation per year.

Reproduction

Larvae over winter in constructed nests made up of live and dead spruce needles. Nests are usually found at the base of large branches where the thickest growth occurs. Females lay between 2-8 eggs beside a needle, which hatch in about 10 days. The larvae usually pupate in late May to early June and adults emerge approximately two weeks later. One generation per year.

Food

Larvae hosts include a variety of spruce tree species. The larvae feed on the entire contents of spruce needles. However, the larvae only feed on dead needles.