BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF CHORISTONEURA LAMBERTIANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) ON LODGEPOLE PINE IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO AND WESTERN MONTANA

Abstract

The sugar pine tortrix heavily defoliated the current season’s needles on lodgepole pine during 1965–66 in southeastern Idaho, and during 1967–68 in western Montana. A brief description of the life stages, damage, and observations on the life history and habits are presented. Choristoneura lambertiana (Busck) is a univoltine insect; oviposition and eclosion occur in late July and early August; first instar larvae spin hibernacula and overwinter in bark cracks, under bark scales, and in other protected locations on the tree and emerge in late May and June. Larvae complete development in approximately 6 weeks, and pupate in July. Adults emerge from about mid-July through early August. Mating and oviposition occur within a few days after adult emergence. Five larval stadia are proposed. Sixteen species of parasites were reared from eggs, larvae, and pupae. One predator was observed feeding on larvae in the field.