Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Pyralidae Members:	Pococera Members:	140 NC Records

Pococera robustella (Zeller, 1848) - Pine Webworm Moth

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Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Pyraloidea

Family:
Pyralidae

Subfamily:
Epipaschiinae

Tribe:
[Epipaschiini]

P3 Number:
80a0640

MONA Number:
5595.00

Comments: The genus Pococera contains a taxonomically challenging group of species with many forms that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology, coloration, and patterning. Rearing and knowledge of the host species can be helpful in a few instances, and some species can be identified based on external characteristics. However, we find many specimens from North Carolina that are challenging to assign to species with high confidence. The genitalia of species that have been examined from North Carolina are virtually identical and offer little help in sorting out species. DNA barcoding also offers little help since many of the established names show up in multiple BINs that likely reflect large numbers of misidentified specimens. Unfortunately, no one has any idea which of these specimens are accurately identified. A comprehensive study of North American members of the genus is clearly needed that will hopefully better delineate species boundaries and resolve some of the problems that hamper the accurate identification of specimens from within the state and elsewhere. At present, our assignment of specimens to certain species is best treated as provisional.

Species Status: This species defoliates pines and can become a significant pest in commercial operations where pine seedlings are grown. Outbreaks commonly occur on one to two-year old pine seedlings, and can kill seedlings and reduce the aesthetic and commercial value of pines grown as Christmas trees or ornamentals (Mayfield, 2007).

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Leckie and Beadle (2018)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923)

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Allyson (1977); Mayfield (2007); Wallesz and Benjamin (1960)

Adult Markings: The Pine Webworm Moth is a small grayish to brownish moth with broad wings and broad bands on the forewing. The following description is based in part on that of Forbes (1923) and Mayfield (2007). The upper head and thorax vary from light grayish brown to brown and are more or less concolorous with the basal portion of the forewing. The antenna is brownish and is about two-thirds the forewing length. The basal third of the forewing varies from dark gray to dark brown and typically becomes paler towards the base. The remainder of the forewing is pale gray to light brown, except for the apical one-fifth to one-fourth that is dark gray to dark brown and forms a wide, terminal band. The terminal band is separated from the lighter central region by a jagged, dark brown post-median line with a slightly lighter posterior border. Some individuals also have a fine whitish line that separated the light central region from the darker basal third of the wing. A marginal row of dark bars is present along the termen at the juncture with the cilia. The hindwing is brown with lighter cilia that are separated by a darker marginal line.

Wingspan: 22-25 mm (Forbes, 1923; Mayfield 2007)

Structural photos

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on pine needles and live in communal nests that are known as 'frass nests'. Hertel and Benjamin (1979) studied populations in Slash Pine plantations in northern Florida where there are typically three generations per year. The female lays a small mass of 2-10 eggs on a pine needle. The first three instars typically mine the needles, whereas the fourth through sixth instars share a common nest on a branch or main stem. Second and third instars also occasionally can be found in frass nests. The frass nest is a large oblong structure that is typically 5-15 cm long. It consists of brown fecal pellets and dead needles and debris that are bound together with silk. The larvae periodically either partially or completely exit the nest to clip needles that they bring back into the nest to consume. The fully grown larvae are 13 to 18 mm long and the head is light brown with black markings. The abdomen is light brown with darker longitudinal stripes (Allyson, 1977; Mayfield, 2007). The mature larva eventually moves to the ground and pupates within a silken cocoon (Hertel and Benjamin 1979). In Wisconsin, local populations are single-brooded and the larvae overwinter in sand-covered cocoons beneath the host tree. Pupation occurs in early June and the adults emerge about two weeks later (Wallesz and Benjamin, 1960). The larvae appear in early July and spend at least the first instar mining needles before they construct a frass nest.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Pococera robustella is found in eastern North America, including southern Canada (Saskatchewan; Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec) and much of the eastern US. In the US the range extends from the New England states southward to southern Florida and westward to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, western Kentucky, Wisconsin and Minnesota. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina, but appears to be less common in the Coastal Plain compared with other regions of the state.

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Immature 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 adults are active year-round in Florida, and from April through October in other areas outside of North Carolina. A seasonal peak in activity occurs from June through August. As of 2021, our records extend from mid-May through early September. North Carolina populations appear to produce either one or two broods per year.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Our records come mainly from wet to somewhat dry forests, including riparian habitats, lakeshores, mesic slopes, and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Virginia Pine appears to be the most important host in the mountains, while Loblolly Pine is the only documented natural host In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain as of 2021.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed primarily on yellow pines, but on rare occasions may use White Pine (Craighead et al., 1950; Schaffner, 1959; Prentice, 1966; Maier et al., 2004; Heppner, 2007; Mayfield, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010; Eiseman, 2022). The reported hosts are Jack Pine (P. banksiana), Sand Pine (P. clausa), Shortleaf Pine (P. echinata), Slash Pine (P. elliotii), Longleaf Pine (P. palustris), Red Pine (P. resinosa), Pitch Pine (P. rigida), White Pine (P. strobus), Scotch Pine (P. sylvestris), Loblolly Pine (P. taeda), and Virginia Pine (P. virginiana). Heppner (2007) also reported this species to use Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) in Florida. In North Carolina, we have records of this species using Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana), and Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda). Dean Furbish also observed the frass nests on dwarf cultivars of Virginia Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine (P. uncinata), Scotch Pine, and Japanese Red Pine (P. densiflora) at the J. C. Raulston Arboretum at NC State University. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the conspicuous frass nests are easy to spot on pine shoots.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Pine Forests and Woodlands

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species appears to be relatively secure within the state due to the fact that it is found statewide and depends on yellow pines as hosts.

Photo Gallery for Pococera robustella - Pine Webworm Moth

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

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-13 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-07 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-04 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-08-30 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Kevin Bischof, Rich Teper, Patrick Coin on 2025-08-16 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Dale Morgan, Patrick Coin, Julie Tuttle, Becky Watkins, et al. on 2025-07-26 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-07-18 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-13 Rowan Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-09 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, David Cheng, Patrick Coin on 2025-06-29 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-27 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Larry Chen, Sarah Toner, Joye Zhou on 2025-06-20 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-14 Rowan Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-02 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-31 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-29 Wilson Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-05-24 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-23 Richmond Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, John Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-08 Harnett Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-03 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25 Columbus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-25 Columbus Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-18 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Rich Teper on 2024-11-05 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-08-20 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Kenneth Geisert, David Bradley, Julie Tuttle, Patrick Coin, Kaitlyn Elliott, Becky Watkins on 2024-08-17 Durham Co. Comment: