THE BIOLOGY OF NEODIPRION NIGROSCUTUM (HYMENOPTERA: DIPRIONIDAE) IN WISCONSIN

Abstract

AbstractThe specific status of Neodiprion nigroscutum Middleton is firmly established by new data. The adult female is mostly black and brown. The second annulus of the lancet is generally weakly developed ventrally. The larvae have black head capsules in the first instar, but this coloration usually changes to reddish brown in the later instars. The third, fourth, and fifth feeding-instar larvae have unbroken subdorsal and supraspiracular lines, and broken postepipleural lines, but lack an epiproctal spot. The nonfeeding-instar larvae often have a pink body color. The egg mass of most females is green. Jack pine is the preferred host. The fecundity is approximately 100 eggs, but they are typically distributed over many branches, usually in one needle on each branch. Larval colonies composed of first- through fourth-instar larvae usually contain 3–10 larvae, while colonies of fifth-instar larvae usually contain 1–6 larvae. There are two generations per year in southern Wisconsin. Feeding-instar larvae are present in late May and June, and again (second generation) in August and September. The species is distributed throughout the jack pine stands of Wisconsin. Phenological data and notes on parasites are presented.