Which pest infests cypress, juniper, arborvitae, and redwoods, is a silvery colored moth, causes yellowing and browning of infested tips in late winter, and is typically controlled by parasitic wasps but may require systemic pesticide if uncontrolled?

Which pest infests cypress, juniper, arborvitae, and redwoods, is a silvery colored moth, causes yellowing and browning of infested tips in late winter, and is typically controlled by parasitic wasps but may require systemic pesticide if uncontrolled?

• A. Cypress tip moth
• B. Pine needle sheath miner
• C. Douglas fir beetle
• D. Mountain pine beetle

Answer: (A)

Cypress tip moth is the pest described. It specifically targets hosts in the cypress family—cypress, juniper, arborvitae, and redwoods—and is recognized by its silvery colored adult moth. The caterpillars feed inside the growing tips, which leads to yellowing and browning of those infested shoots during late winter. Natural control is often provided by parasitic wasps, which keep populations in check. If the infestation is heavy and natural enemies aren’t enough, a systemic pesticide that moves through the plant to reach the feeding caterpillars may be needed. The other pests listed don’t fit this scenario: they attack different hosts and cause different kinds of damage (for example, leaf miners or bark beetles with pines and firs), so their biology and symptoms don’t match the situation described.

Cypress tip moth is the pest described. It specifically targets hosts in the cypress family—cypress, juniper, arborvitae, and redwoods—and is recognized by its silvery colored adult moth. The caterpillars feed inside the growing tips, which leads to yellowing and browning of those infested shoots during late winter. Natural control is often provided by parasitic wasps, which keep populations in check. If the infestation is heavy and natural enemies aren’t enough, a systemic pesticide that moves through the plant to reach the feeding caterpillars may be needed. The other pests listed don’t fit this scenario: they attack different hosts and cause different kinds of damage (for example, leaf miners or bark beetles with pines and firs), so their biology and symptoms don’t match the situation described.