Blog & News

European Pine Shoot Moth (archive)

Published on Monday December 19, 2016
Authored by PEIISC

European Pine Shoot Moth

Rhyacionia buoliana

Article by David Carmichael,P.E.I. Department of Communities, Land and Environment and PEIISC Council member

Background information:

This pest was first recorded in New York State in 1914 and has since spread to many areas in southern Canada.

Preferred Hosts:

Red Pine is most susceptible, Jack Pine, non native Austrian Pine Scots Pine and Mugo Pine.

Life Cycle:

There is one generation per year, the larvae overwinter in buds and in May they commence boring into the base of extending “Candles” covering the entrance holes with webbing often with pitch escaping from the candle and collecting at the base of the candle as noted above. Larvae mature from the end of June into July and adult moths emerge about two to three weeks later. Eggs are laid on the base of needles on old shoots or at the base of buds which have set for the following year. Larvae hatch in about a week to ten days.

Control Measures:

1. For small scale residential/commercial control, pick off and destroy “Candles” showing the “Fish hook” symptoms from bud break through to early July. Pesticides are often not warranted in small scale situations.

2. For large scale young plantations, contact your local garden center, provincial agency or pesticide supplier for products specifically related to this pest.

Note: Pesticide labels are legal documents administered through Health Canada. These labels must be followed carefully for information related to timing of application, plant species they may be applied to and for the pests listed on the label. Other important information on the label includes precautions and protective clothing for application and how to dispose of empty product containers.

Attached images:

This image shows early symptoms from the non-native European Pine Shoot Moth. Note the new growth called “Candles” has taken on a fish-hook appearance, the base of the affected candles are exuding pine pitch which has come out of the entry hole where the young larvae has penetrated the base of the candle. Image source: David Carmichael, P.E.I. Department of Communities, Land and Environment.
This image shows advancing “Candles” which have taken on the “Fish hook” appearance. Larvae may be seen boring within “Candles” at this point of development. Image source: David Carmichael, P.E.I. Department of Communities, Land and Environment.
This is an image of a “Candle” which was showing the “Fish hook” symptom, the European Pine Shoot Moth larvae has mined up the center of the “Candle” Image source: David Carmichael, P.E.I. Department of Communities, Land and Environment.
Pine plantation infested by European Pine Shoot Moth. Image source: David Carmichael, P.E.I. Department of Communities, Land and Environment.