Coneworm
Guides
Dioryctria abietivorella
fir coneworm, Evergreen Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria abietivorella, commonly known as the fir coneworm, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. Its larvae develop in conifer seed cones and branches, with documented performance varying by host species and cone availability. White spruce appears to be the most suitable host based on development rate studies.
Dioryctria amatella
southern pineconeworm moth, Southern Pine Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria amatella is a pyralid moth whose larvae develop within pine cones, primarily feeding on seeds and cone tissues. The species is a significant pest in southeastern U.S. pine forests, with one to four generations annually. Adults are active from early spring through late autumn. The species overwinters in Cronartium fusiforme fungal cankers on pine trees, utilizing these as protected winter habitats.
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 ebeli
South Coastal Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria ebeli, the south coastal coneworm moth, is a species of pyralid moth described in 1979. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly known as coneworms due to their habit of feeding within conifer cones. The species has a restricted distribution along the southeastern and Gulf coasts of the United States, with scattered records as far north as Massachusetts. Larval development occurs within pine cones.
Dioryctria pygmaeella
baldcypress coneworm moth, cypress coneworm moth
Dioryctria pygmaeella is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. The species is restricted to the coastal plains of the eastern United States and eastern Texas. Larvae feed within the cones of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) and pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens). The species completes up to three generations annually.
Dioryctria reniculelloides
spruce coneworm, Spruce Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria reniculelloides, the spruce coneworm, is a small pyralid moth first described in 1973. Its populations frequently coincide with spruce budworm outbreaks across North American spruce forests. The species is occasionally abundant and can become a serious pest, particularly on white spruce, where larvae feed on new foliage and cones.
Dioryctria subtracta
Dioryctria subtracta is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. It is known only from New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly called coneworm moths due to their habit of feeding within conifer cones. Adult moths are attracted to lights at night.
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).