Pine tip moth
Natural History
Needle damage from the Nantucket pine tip moth
Photo credit: R. F. Billings - Texas Forest Service
Pine tip moths are a group of insects that cause damage to young trees by feeding on growing shoot tips. Although pine tip moths usually do not lead to tree death, severe damage from growth loss and stem deformity can result. Of the species found in Florida, the Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana) and the subtropical pine tip moth (Rhyacionia subtropica) are the most common.
In the spring, female moths lay their eggs on pine shoots. Eggs hatch 5 to 30 days later and the new larvae feed on surrounding, new pine growth and then bore into the bud and shoot. The larvae devour and damage these tree parts for 3 to 4 weeks as they move progressively downwards,hollowing out the shoot and killing it. The larvae molt and become pupae that attach themselves in the cavities that they hollowed out while eating. From the pupae, adult moths emerge and the cycle begins again.