Rhyacionia neomexicana

(Dyar, 1903)

Southwestern pine tip moth

neomexicana is a whose are significant pests of southwestern pines. The completes one annually, with larvae tunneling into pine shoots to feed, causing characteristic tip dieback. emerge in spring and lay on new pine growth. The species specifically targets ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings, where reduce both height and radial growth.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhyacionia neomexicana: /ˌraɪəˈkoʊniə ˌniːoʊˌmɛksɪˈkænə/

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Habitat

Pine forests; inhabit new pine growth and shoots, specifically targeting young trees

Distribution

Southwestern United States (inferred from epithet and )

Seasonality

emerge in spring; with one per year

Diet

feed on pine shoots and new growth; specifically documented on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Host Associations

Pinus ponderosa - larval specifically targets seedlings and saplings, causing reduced growth
Pinus - larval general pine association

Life Cycle

One per year (): laid on new pine growth, tunnel into shoots and feed internally, occurs in soil, emerge in spring

Behavior

are shoot borers that tunnel into pine shoots, causing tip dieback; this feeding significantly damages trees and reduces their growth rates

Ecological Role

that negatively impacts growth and development of young pine trees through larval shoot boring

Human Relevance

Economic pest of ponderosa pine ; reduce both height and radial growth in seedlings and saplings, affecting forestry and reforestation efforts