Skip to main content
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences logo
Give      University of Florida
Resources
Toggle Search Form
GIVE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
  • HOME
  • Forest Ecology Contest
    • Contest Stations
    • Past Winners
    • About the Contest
  • Nature Poetry Contest
  • 4-H Forest Resources

  • Resources

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

  • florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu
  • Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
  • Forest Ecology Contest
  • Contest Stations
  • Forest Health
  • Insects
  • Pine Tip Moth

Pine tip moth

 

Natural History

Needle damage from the Nantucket pine tip moth
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.

Section Topics

  • Identifying Characteristics
  • Images
  • Learn More
University of Florida Logo
Contact

Feedback
Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
P.O. Box 110410 Gainesville, FL 32611-0410
(352) 846-0547

Land Grant Mission
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Extension
Information
  • Ask IFAS (EDIS)
  • UF/IFAS Experts
  • UF/IFAS Blogs
  • UF/IFAS Bookstore
Policy
  • Accessible UF
  • EEO Statement
  • IFAS Web Policy
  • SSN & UF Privacy
  • Analytics (Google Privacy)

© 2025 University of Florida, IFAS Last Modified:Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:31:16 EDT