Life History of the Pine Tip Moth, Rhyacionia adana Heinrich, in Ontario (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

Abstract

Infestations of Rhyacionia adana Heinrich have almost certainly been common in young pine plantations throughout southern Ontario for a number of years, but, because resultant tree damage has been confused with that of the European pine shoot moth, R. buoliana (Schiff.), the species itself has been overlooked. Although R. adana was described in 1923 (Heinrich, 1923), the seasonal history has never been worked out, and even the host plants were not recorded until 1959 (Martin, 1959). In 1957, a study program was begun to learn the life history and habits of the species in Ontario, the results of which are presented here.