The Douglas-fir tussock moth, a native moth to the Sierra Nevadas, has fluctuating populations that, at times, burst with upsurges. -- Distrubution of host type where Douglas-fir tussock moth may be found and location of outbreaks.
Hosts: Douglas-fir, white fir and spruce Figure 8. Management: Several natural controls affect Douglas-fir tussock moth populations.
Spruce budworm has surged in forested areas such as Cheyenne Cañon, Cheyenne Mountain and along Rampart Range Road. Once an outbreak begins, viable treatment options decrease significantly.
Successful management of the Douglas-fir tussock moth depends on carefully monitoring populations within high-hazard stands during the non-outbreak and building phases. Smith), also is occasionally found in the region. Douglas-fir, white fir, and grand fir are all equally acceptable.
Adult male (left) and femail (right) Douglas-fir moth. The outbreaks happen in cycles and feed off Douglas fir and true fir.
Adult male (left) and femail (right) Douglas-fir moth.
In the south (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Figure 1. The whitemarked tussock moth, Orygia leucostigma (J.E. Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) is a native defoliator of spruce, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and true firs (Abies spp.
Most Douglas-fir tussock moth outbreaks occur east of the Cascade Mountains crest in mixed conifer stands having high proportions of Douglas-fir, grand fir, or white fir. This is an important pest species in the eastern United States and feeds on an extremely wide range of shrubs, fruit trees, shade trees and even conifers.
The insect, during the caterpillar phase, defoliates Yosemite's white fir trees. In eastern
Symptoms/Signs: The caterpillar of the Douglas-fir tussock moth is grayish with brightly colored tufts of hair and a shiny black head.There are also two long horns of black hairs behind the head and another at the rear of the body. Douglas-Fir tussock moth has been most prevalent in our landscape trees but is also in forested areas on Cheyenne Mountain and on Rampart Range Road. trees, brush, and buildings, but once an outbreak subsides, finding caterpil-lars is difficult. ), though will rarely feed on planted Colorado blue spruce in urban areas.The moth is a native species found throughout mixed-conifer forests in the western United States and southern British Columbia. The Douglas-fir tussock moth (DFTM) is a defoliating caterpillar that can severely damage Douglas-fir, true fir, and spruce trees in the western United States. There have been outbreaks of Douglas-fir tussock moths in states such as Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and California.
The Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough), is an important defoliator of spruce, Douglas-fir, true fir and other conifers in the Rocky Mountain region. Forest Health Alert Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata): Outbreak status of a conifer defoliating caterpillar Importance.
Hosts: Douglas-fir, white fir and spruce Figure 8. Family: Erebidae Subfamily: Lymantriinae Defoliation by the tussock moth Feeding by the larvae can cause complete defoliation of heavily infested trees.
Damage usually appears first in the tops of trees and progresses downward, sometimes over several years. Symptoms/Signs: The caterpillar of the Douglas-fir tussock moth is grayish with brightly colored tufts of hair and a shiny black head.There are also two long horns of black hairs behind the head and another at the rear of the body.
In northern Washington, Douglas-fir is the preferred host, while elsewhere in Washington and Oregon, Douglas-fir, white fir, and grand fir are equally preferred. It can also move into our landscape Spruce and Fir trees. Douglas Fir Tussock Moth Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough, 1921).