Operophtera brumata
From Bugwoodwiki
Author: Eric Honeycutt, Bartlett Plant Diagnostic Clinic
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Introduction
The Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) was introduced to North America from Europe. Winter Moth has been noted as a pest for years in Eastern and Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Since Winter Moth is an introduced pest, it has few natural parasites capable of suppressing populations. As a result Winter Moth continues to spread and has recently become a serious pest in parts of New England, especially along coastal areas of Massachusetts.
Damage
Winter Moth is primarily a pest of deciduous plants. Common hosts include, but are not limited to Oak, Maple, Basswood, Ash, Apple, and Crabapple. Winter Moth causes injury to trees when larvae (caterpillars) tunnel into buds to feed. Larvae continue feeding as they move from bud to bud. Defoliation occurs as older larvae feed in the expanding leaf clusters. Delayed leaf expansion due to cool springs can increase injury.
Description
Moths (adult stage) emerge from the soil in November. Moth activity generally extends into January and can be seen flying around outside lights. After mating, females deposit eggs in bark crevices, under bark scales, under lichen, etc. Egg hatch occurs in spring when temperatures average approximately 55° F or when 20-50 Growing Degree Days have accumulated.
Winter Moth larvae are pale green caterpillars often referred to as loopers or inchworms with white longitudinal stripes that extend down each side of the body. After egg hatch larvae crawl up tree trunks and begin to penetrate leaf buds where they begin to feed. Larvae feed through mid-June when they migrate to the soil for pupation and overwintering.
Control
Winter Moth will continue to be a serious pest in New England. An effective pest management program that consists of cultural and chemical treatments is necessary to promote tree vigor and suppress populations of the insect. Trees exposed to good cultural practices are better able to withstand Winter Moth outbreaks. Mulch and fertilizer according to soil analysis and irrigation during drought are excellent cultural treatments that improve tree health. Tree banding has also been shown to provide good control efficacy. Properly timed chemical spray treatments are highly effective for controlling large outbreaks of Winter Moth.
