This is always my fear when I send people to Cooperative Extension; that when they get there, Extension will say "Beats the heck out of me!".

This is probably the Nantucket pine tip moth, although if it isn't, then the egg-laying information will, of course, be wrong. In New York, there are 2 generations of moths, laying eggs in May and late July. So figure a few weeks earlier for Maryland.

Cheesecloth is too heavy, and too water-absorbant; it might be a bad idea. I buy "bridal" netting at the fabric store. That's what I'm using for the cicadas, and I've always used it for pine tip moths. You'll have to arrange the netting so the tips are
protected- maybe use a few stakes to hold the netting a few inches above the tips. Otherwise the moths are perfectly capable of laying eggs through the netting.

Today's cicada news: they are flapping their feeble wings and flying a few feet. There is an eerie whine in every direction.

-----Original Message-----

Date: Fri May 21 10:57:14 EDT 2004
From: "Carol Schroeder"
Subject: [IBC] Shoot Tip Moths on Pine
To:

Last year in July I found that the shoot type moth had laid its eggs in
a pine tree and the young were busy devouring the young shoots. I
followed the advice of IBC members and dutifully picked off all I could
find. Nina Shishkoff suggested that I contact my Maryland Cooperative
Extension Agency, which I did last week, to find out when the moths lay
their eggs. This was done to be prepared for this summer's return of the
moths. The agent I spoke to did not have a listing of when the eggs
were laid for the shoot tip moth. I would like to try using a fine
netting this year. (Netting seems to work against the cicadas). Would
white cheese cloth be appropriate? If not, can someone suggest another
netting material? Last summer the damage was done beginning on July
14th and lasted for about four days. Should netting cover the pine for
two weeks or more (?) prior to July 14th?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Carol Schroeder
Maryland, Zone 7

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---
Nina Shishkoff


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