OK, it's springtime again, and once more I am ignorant about the little
tree eating *******s munching my pines. Location is Southern Oregon just
south of Roseburg.

These are little worms about 3/4" long and 1/16" in diameter, apparently
tan at first, changing to black as they go. They are infesting
last year's new growth ponderosa pine needles. They start at the end of
the needle with their head toward the end and consume the whole thing as
they back down toward the stem. They are just getting started, but I
found a patch of seedlings that are going to be essentially defoliated.
There are two to four worms for each needle.

Does anybody have an ID on these guys? What kind of bug do they turn
into? Are they a moth, a beetle or what?

--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc

Jack Pine Sawfly or Ponderosa Pine Sawfly. Can't tell without seeing the
worm. It is a moth in adult state, should be gone in a few weeks.

"Larry Caldwell" wrote in message
...
OK, it's springtime again, and once more I am ignorant about the little
tree eating *******s munching my pines. Location is Southern Oregon just
south of Roseburg.

These are little worms about 3/4" long and 1/16" in diameter, apparently
tan at first, changing to black as they go. They are infesting
last year's new growth ponderosa pine needles. They start at the end of
the needle with their head toward the end and consume the whole thing as
they back down toward the stem. They are just getting started, but I
found a patch of seedlings that are going to be essentially defoliated.
There are two to four worms for each needle.

Does anybody have an ID on these guys? What kind of bug do they turn
into? Are they a moth, a beetle or what?

--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc

(Don Staples) writes:
Jack Pine Sawfly or Ponderosa Pine Sawfly. Can't tell without seeing the
worm. It is a moth in adult state, should be gone in a few weeks.

Thanks, Don. I wonder if there is a creature out there that eats
sawflies? My wife was so upset she hauled a backpack sprayer out and did
the seedlings, but of course there is no way to reach an infestation in
the sawlog sized trees.

--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc