LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE WHITE PINE CONE BORER, EUCOSMA TOCULLIONANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractThe life history of the white pine cone borer, Eucosma tocullionana Heinrich, was studied from 1992 to 1994 in an eastern white pine seed orchard in Ontario. Adults flew from late May to early July, and egg laying commenced in mid-June. Oviposition coincided with the onset of white pine pollen release. Eggs were laid singly or in clusters on cones, with most of the eggs laid on the basal third of the cone. Head capsule measurements indicated five instars. Larvae fed in cones from mid-June to the end of August. Mature larvae exited the cones and dropped to the ground to pupate. The insect is univoltine. Parasitism by the Hymenoptera, Trichogramma and Apanteles, accounted for 5% of the eggs and 1% of the larvae, respectively. About 40% of the larvae died from being entrapped in resin. There were no significant differences in attack rates by E. tocullionana within the tree except in the middle level, where the south quadrant had significantly higher rates than the north quadrant.