Like Tim, I've experienced some shoot tip moth damage (not in my bonsai
nursery, thankfully) on pines in my pre-stock area in the yard. I've never
read of any way to prevent them from laying eggs in the candles, nor even
what season that generally occurs. Can anyone suggest good measure(s) to
take against infestations and also cite the season the egg laying is going
on? Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/palaver/main.htm
zone 8, Texas

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Those things were the bane of my existence when I was on Long Island. In June, I put fine netting over my pines. That prevents the moths from laying eggs. You can also spray an insecticide, as long as you get good coverage, but it's difficult to dissuad
e female moths from laying eggs, since it's not their mouths, but their ovipositors which are making contact, and then, only as long as it takes to lay the eggs.

It is very important to contact your Cooperative Extension Agency and find out when the eggs are laid. They will be laid earlier in Alabama than in New Jersey, and earlier in New Jersey than in Maine, so you really need local information. Also, Cooperativ
e Extension can tell you which products are labeled for this use in your state.

-Nina

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Those things were the bane of my existence when I was on Long Island. In June, I put fine netting over my pines. That prevents the moths from laying eggs. You can also spray an insecticide, as long as you get good coverage, but it's difficult to dissuad
e female moths from laying eggs, since it's not their mouths, but their ovipositors which are making contact, and then, only as long as it takes to lay the eggs.

It is very important to contact your Cooperative Extension Agency and find out when the eggs are laid. They will be laid earlier in Alabama than in New Jersey, and earlier in New Jersey than in Maine, so you really need local information. Also, Cooperativ
e Extension can tell you which products are labeled for this use in your state.

-Nina

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Those things were the bane of my existence when I was on Long Island. In June, I put fine netting over my pines. That prevents the moths from laying eggs. You can also spray an insecticide, as long as you get good coverage, but it's difficult to dissuad
e female moths from laying eggs, since it's not their mouths, but their ovipositors which are making contact, and then, only as long as it takes to lay the eggs.

It is very important to contact your Cooperative Extension Agency and find out when the eggs are laid. They will be laid earlier in Alabama than in New Jersey, and earlier in New Jersey than in Maine, so you really need local information. Also, Cooperativ
e Extension can tell you which products are labeled for this use in your state.

-Nina

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Those things were the bane of my existence when I was on Long Island. In June, I put fine netting over my pines. That prevents the moths from laying eggs. You can also spray an insecticide, as long as you get good coverage, but it's difficult to dissuad
e female moths from laying eggs, since it's not their mouths, but their ovipositors which are making contact, and then, only as long as it takes to lay the eggs.

It is very important to contact your Cooperative Extension Agency and find out when the eggs are laid. They will be laid earlier in Alabama than in New Jersey, and earlier in New Jersey than in Maine, so you really need local information. Also, Cooperativ
e Extension can tell you which products are labeled for this use in your state.

-Nina

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Andy,
In Michigan there was a local problem with pine shoot moth damage. My trees
never had any sign of infestation or damage.
The one factor may have been an oil spray done in the late fall and
repeated in early spring. Perhaps this smothers the eggs and prevents the
problem?
It might be worth a try.
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/
Like Tim, I've experienced some shoot tip moth damage (not in my bonsai
nursery, thankfully) on pines in my pre-stock area in the yard. I've never
read of any way to prevent them from laying eggs in the candles, nor even
what season that generally occurs. Can anyone suggest good measure(s) to
take against infestations and also cite the season the egg laying is going
on? Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/palaver/main.htm

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Like Tim, I've experienced some shoot tip moth damage (not in
my bonsai
nursery, thankfully) on pines in my pre-stock area in the yard.
I've never
read of any way to prevent them from laying eggs in the
candles, nor even
what season that generally occurs. Can anyone suggest good
measure(s) to
take against infestations and also cite the season the egg
laying is going
on? Thanks in advance.


From: Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South, USDA, Forest
Service, Southern Region, Protection Report R8-PR 16 (slightly
revised, Oct. 1999) [This is a book that all growers in eastern
and southern North America should have. It used to be free.
Heaven knows what His Bushiness charges, since our Govt. no
longer provides many services, free or otherwise.]

Anyway:

The critter in question is Rhyaciona frustrana. It occurs
throughout the east and south. (There are related critters
elsewhere in North America and elsewhere. Their biology is
similar.) It attacks most species of pines (and probably loves
the exotics like Japanese pines of various kinds) except lolgleaf
and eastern white pine. It most frequently attacks pines in
"plantations" (that means row crops of trees). Preferred target
is the growing shoots of young pines. Larva bore into and feed
on inner tissues of buds and shoots. Shoot injury occurs
primarily within the first 5 years and decreases as crowns close
(probably would NOT apply to bonsai nurseries where the trees are
kept small with lots of sunlight).

"Biology.-- This pest overwinters as a pupa, and adults emerge in
late winter or early spring. Mating and egg laying occur shortly
after emergence. Early larvae feed on needles and surfaces of
new growth, while later larvae move to shoot tips and begin
boring into buds or stem tissues. Pupation occurs within damaged
shoots. There are 2 - 5 generations per year.

"Control by insecticides is usually not recommended except for
high value trees in seed orchards, nurseries, Christmas tree
plantings, and ornamentals."

You should check with your Agricultural Extension Agent regarding
the chemicals to use in your area.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The ignorant
man marvels at the exceptional; the wise man marvels at the
common; the greatest wonder of all is the regularity of
nature. -- George Dana Bordman

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Like Tim, I've experienced some shoot tip moth damage (not in
my bonsai
nursery, thankfully) on pines in my pre-stock area in the yard.
I've never
read of any way to prevent them from laying eggs in the
candles, nor even
what season that generally occurs. Can anyone suggest good
measure(s) to
take against infestations and also cite the season the egg
laying is going
on? Thanks in advance.


From: Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South, USDA, Forest
Service, Southern Region, Protection Report R8-PR 16 (slightly
revised, Oct. 1999) [This is a book that all growers in eastern
and southern North America should have. It used to be free.
Heaven knows what His Bushiness charges, since our Govt. no
longer provides many services, free or otherwise.]

Anyway:

The critter in question is Rhyaciona frustrana. It occurs
throughout the east and south. (There are related critters
elsewhere in North America and elsewhere. Their biology is
similar.) It attacks most species of pines (and probably loves
the exotics like Japanese pines of various kinds) except lolgleaf
and eastern white pine. It most frequently attacks pines in
"plantations" (that means row crops of trees). Preferred target
is the growing shoots of young pines. Larva bore into and feed
on inner tissues of buds and shoots. Shoot injury occurs
primarily within the first 5 years and decreases as crowns close
(probably would NOT apply to bonsai nurseries where the trees are
kept small with lots of sunlight).

"Biology.-- This pest overwinters as a pupa, and adults emerge in
late winter or early spring. Mating and egg laying occur shortly
after emergence. Early larvae feed on needles and surfaces of
new growth, while later larvae move to shoot tips and begin
boring into buds or stem tissues. Pupation occurs within damaged
shoots. There are 2 - 5 generations per year.

"Control by insecticides is usually not recommended except for
high value trees in seed orchards, nurseries, Christmas tree
plantings, and ornamentals."

You should check with your Agricultural Extension Agent regarding
the chemicals to use in your area.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The ignorant
man marvels at the exceptional; the wise man marvels at the
common; the greatest wonder of all is the regularity of
nature. -- George Dana Bordman

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Andy and Others:

The Pine Tip Month or Pine Shoot Months hatch in mid-summer (based on my
unfortunate experience). The tiny caterpillars grow up to 3/4 in length and are,
unfortunately, very difficult to see. They mine their way into needles and
into buds, cones, and twigs. If you can hand pick them, all the better. If
not, Neem is one form of control. Needless to say, there is an arsenal of other
chemicals, but I will allow you to pick your own weapons based on the severity
of the infestation.

Do not be fooled by these worms--they killed one of my magnificent specimens
while I was away for just one weekend many years ago.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
http://members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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************************************************** ******************************
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