![]() ![]() This type of defoliation can seriously weaken maples to the point that borers and fungi may infest the trees and finish them off. Older literature refers to episodes in which the first generation strips maples bare, and then just as a new flush of growth emerges, the second generation emerges to defoliate the trees again. Rarely will the tree suffer long term damage but loss in growth and branch dieback may occur if the same tree is defoliated several consecutive years. ![]() Large populations of mapleworms can defoliate trees if unnoticed or without proper management. Larvae are the only herbivorous life stage, capable of devouring several entire leaves per caterpillar. Adult moths can have a wingspan of 37 to 50 mm. Full-grown larvae can reach 40 mm in length. There are two prominent horns on the second thoracic segment, two rows of short spines on the side of the body, and four larger spines on the terminal abdominal segments. The larvae have red or black heads, pale-green bodies with seven dark-green longitudinal stripes. The moths deposit yellow eggs on the underside of leaves. The body of the moth is yellow on top and pink on the bottom with wings exhibiting yellow and pink colorations that vary in design. They are commonly known as the rosy maple moth. In North Carolina, moths emerge from their pupae in late April or early May. Some oaks can also be damaged especially when in close proximity to maples. Maples are its preferred hosts and the most common hosts in many landscapes. The greenstriped mapleworm, Dryocampa rubicunda, is found throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. ![]() Identification and Damage Skip to Identification and Damage ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |