Cone-borer
Guides
Dioryctria
Conifer Coneworm Moths, Coneworm Moths
Dioryctria is a genus of snout moths (family Pyralidae) described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1846. Commonly known as conifer coneworm moths, the genus contains approximately 40 species in North America, with 25 occurring in western regions. Larvae of most species feed within conifer cones, though some species infest shoots, branches, or bark. Several species are significant forest pests, causing damage to pine, spruce, fir, and cedar trees through cone and seed destruction, shoot boring, and deformation of tree crowns.
Dioryctria auranticella
ponderosa pineconeworm moth
Dioryctria auranticella is a small pyralid moth whose larvae develop inside the cones of ponderosa pine and knobcone pine. Adults are active in mid-summer and are attracted to lights. The species is restricted to western North America, where it functions as a cone pest with potential impact on pine seed production.
Dioryctria yatesi
Mountain Pine Coneworm, Mountain Pine Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria yatesi, commonly known as the mountain pine coneworm, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Mutuura and Munroe in 1979 and is restricted to the mountains of the coastal southeastern United States and Tennessee. The larvae are specialized cone borers that feed on Pinus pungens (Table Mountain pine).
Eucopina monitorana
Red Pine Coneborer Moth
Eucopina monitorana, commonly known as the Red Pine Coneborer Moth, is a species of tortricid moth first described by Heinrich in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. The species is associated with coniferous hosts, particularly pines, where larvae develop within cones. It has been documented across a limited number of observations, suggesting a more restricted or specialized distribution.
Eucopina rescissoriana
Lodgepole Pine Coneborer Moth
A small tortricid moth whose larvae bore into the cones of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). The common name reflects this specialized association. Adults are rarely observed directly; records primarily derive from larval collections and cone dissections. The species appears restricted to regions where its host pine occurs.
Eucopina tocullionana
white pine cone borer, White Pine Coneborer Moth
A small tortricid moth specialized on pine cones. Adults are active in spring and summer, with larvae developing within cones of white pine and Virginia pine. The species is restricted to eastern North America, primarily in Appalachian and Great Lakes regions.
Phymatodes nitidus
sequoia cone borer
Phymatodes nitidus is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) native to western North America. The species is notable for its specialized reproductive association with conifers, specifically laying eggs on giant sequoia and coast redwood cones. Larvae burrow into these cones to develop. The species was described by LeConte in 1874. Phymatodes mojavensis was synonymized under P. nitidus in 2010.