Moths of North Carolina
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46 NC Records

Cydia ingens (Heinrich, 1926) - Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth

Cydia ingensCydia ingens
view caption 		Cydia ingensCydia ingens
Taxonomy
Family:
Tortricidae		Subfamily:
Olethreutinae		Tribe:
Grapholitini		P3 Number:
51a1373		 MONA Number:
3487.00
Comments: Cydia toreuta and C. ingens are members of a species complex that includes several other described and possibly undescribed species (Gilligan and Epstein, 2014). The two species in this complex that occur in North Carolina can be distinguished using molecular markers, genitalia, and external morphology.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Immature Stages: Hedlin et al. (1980)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Cydia ingens and C. toreuta are two externally similar forms that have short, sordid white palps and whitish brown coloration on the head, thorax, and wing base. The ground of the apical two-thirds of the forewing has brownish scales with sordid white tips that produce a bronzy stippled effect. It is overlain with several metallic bars that are edged inwardly and outwardly with black. A complete bar is present at mid-wing, along with a postmedial bar that is more oblique or angulated and sometimes broken into a dorsal and ventral bar of roughly similar size. A subterminal bar is present that parallels the termen, and one or two relatively short bars are present along the costa between the postmedial and subterminal bars. A conspicuous thin black terminal line is present at the wing tip that is followed by a dull, silvery white fringe. The hindwing is smoky fuscous with paler cilia that have a dark basal band.

Individuals of the two species that occur in North Carolina -- and in which their identify has been confirmed based on genitalia -- can be separated using a combination of traits (see illustration above). These include whether the postmedial bar is broken or complete, whether one or two costal bars are present between the postmedial and subterminal bars, and whether a gap is present between the subterminal bar and the black terminal line on the dorsal half of the termen (both species typically have a gap on the costal half of the termen). Cydia ingens usually has a broken postmedial bar (sometimes complete), one costal bar between the postmedial and subterminal bars, and little or no gap between the subterminal bar and the black terminal line on the dorsal half of the termen. The latter appears to be the most reliable trait for distinguishing between species. These species can also be readily identified using both male and female genitalia and molecular markers.
Wingspan: 17-20 mm
Adult Structural Features: See genitalia images below.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Hedlin et al. (1980) noted that all of the Cydia species that feed on pine seeds have very similar life histories and provided a general summary that applies to both Cydia toreuta and C. ingens. The females mate and lay their eggs in the spring on developing second year female cones. The young larvae bore between cone scales and then enter seeds where they consume one seed before moving to the next. They overwinter in the cone axis (middle part of the cone), then pupate with the spring warm-up. The adults emerge about two weeks later and the females lay eggs on the developing cones. Thus, the phenology and life cycle in local populations is strongly centered on when the second year female cones are developing seasonally. The larvae are rather drab whitish and have a grub-like appearance.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is associated with southern pines and is mostly found in the Coastal Plain and portions of the Piedmont and other adjoining uplands. Hedlin et al. (1980) show the range extending along the Coastal Plain from eastern Texas to southern Maryland. It extends inland to central Arkansas, southern Tennessee, and into the Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. As of 2022, populations in North Carolina appear to be largely restricted to Coastal Plain habitats, with two records from the eastern Piedmont.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Cydia ingens
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The flight season of local populations occurs following the spring warm-up and renewed growth and expansion of second year cones on the host plants. Merkel and Fatzinger (1971) documented a flight season from mid-March through late May in northeastern Florida, with a peak from mid-April to mid-May. As of 2022, our records are all from May and June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: In North Carolina this species is associated with pine woodlands, particularly where Longleaf Pine and Loblolly Pine prevail.
Larval Host Plants: Merkel (1963) reported that Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) was the most important host at Coastal Plain sites that he surveyed from central South Carolina to southeastern Mississippi. Slash Pine (P. elliottii) was also used, particularly when it was intermixed with Longleaf Pine. Hedlin et al. (1980) also listed Loblolly Pine (P. taeda) as a host. Longleaf Pine and Loblolly Pine appear to be the most important hosts in North Carolina. Slash Pine does not appear to be an important host since it is non-native, relatively uncommon, largely restricted to the southern Coastal Plain, and often does not produce cones before being harvested where grown. - View
Observation Methods: The adult are attracted to lights and can be reared by gathering cones that are infected with larvae.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Coastal Plain Pine Forests and Woodlands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4S5
State Protection:
Comments: Populations appear to be secure; this species is often locally common in our coastal pine forests.

 Photo Gallery for Cydia ingens - Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth

48 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-25
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-05-22
Moore Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Allison Garton on 2025-05-22
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Brian Bockhahn, Jim Petranka, John Petranka, Becky Elkin on 2025-05-09
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka and Sally Gewalt on 2025-04-29
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2025-04-18
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-18
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-18
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips on 2024-06-07
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-07
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-06-07
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Kelly Davis on 2024-05-18
Hyde Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-15
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-08
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-05-08
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2024-04-16
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-18
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-05-31
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-24
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-24
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-05-22
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper on 2023-05-21
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Moore Co.
Comment: