Cydia ingens

(Heinrich, 1926)

Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth

A small to the southeastern United States, specialized on pine seeds. are grayish- with distinctive metallic bars on the . The is of minor economic concern due to seed damage in pine plantations.

Cydia ingens by Harry O. Yates III, USDA Forest Service, United States. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.Cydia ingens specimen by David George and Rich Teper by David George. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Cydia ingens live adult by Laura Gaudette by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cydia ingens: /ˈsiː.di.a ˈin.dʒɛns/

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Identification

Distinguished from the similar Cydia toreuta by the broken metallic bar on the (usually split into and portions) and the conspicuous black along the silver-fringed wingtip. The dirty coloration also aids identification.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 17–20 mm. are ashy- with several metallic bars edged in black; one bar is usually broken into and portions. A conspicuous black runs along the wingtip, fringed with silver. are smoky-fuscous with a paler fringe. The is dirty . are whitish and -like.

Habitat

Pine forests and coastal plains where pines occur. Specifically associated with longleaf pine , but also found in stands of slash pine and loblolly pine.

Distribution

Recorded in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Likely occurs throughout the natural range of Pinus palustris in the southeastern United States.

Diet

feed exclusively on pine seeds, specifically those of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).

Host Associations

  • Pinus palustris - primary longleaf pine
  • Pinus elliottii - slash pine
  • Pinus taeda - loblolly pine

Ecological Role

Seed of pines. May reduce seed viability in natural stands and plantations, potentially affecting forest where are high.

Human Relevance

Minor pest of pine seed orchards and natural seed collection operations. Damage is generally limited and rarely warrants control measures.

Similar Taxa

  • Cydia toreutaSimilar grayish- coloration and size, but lacks the broken metallic bar and conspicuous black wingtip of C. ingens

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Sources and further reading