This invasive forest insect has killed hundreds of thousands of hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) in eastern states. The western hemlock looper is a native defoliator of western hemlock, western redcedar, interior spruce and Douglas-fir. Hemlock looper damage usually occurs in mature stands where severe 1968). 0000036543 00000 n Fax: (207) 287-2400 22 State House Station 0000050422 00000 n Western hemlock is relatively intolerant to defoliation compared with other tree species. 2 . 0 The western hemlock looper is a native species part of the natural coastal forest ecosystem that feeds on trees, particularly in the Fromme and Lynn Valley area where the community borders the forest. Damage would potentially be seen in … 0000108354 00000 n 0000003348 00000 n endstream endobj 54 0 obj<>stream (��F�e��`�S��������+,XT�Y�c} ���q�!4���2t��7ho��cL|I� \���;;�m,��br���nY��f�{������P�9}��,��3$:u@�Q�.��Uzz�W�z����$�[� ���, Eggs overwinter on tree trunks, laid on bark lichens or moss. 0000004403 00000 n The very tiny eggs are deposited singly or in small clusters on foliage, twigs, bark, understory vegetation, debris or in the litter. Stands of balsam fir and white spruce were killed along Maine's coast early in the outbreak. Outbreaks of the species, known for decimating hemlock and other types of trees, are a natural phenomenon but may increase in frequency in the future because of the climate crisis, say experts. Inland hemlock stands were severely defoliated later in the outbreak and some experienced scattered but significant mortality. In the west, its normal preferred diet is eastern hemlock and in the east, balsam fir. MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY After hatchi ng, l arvae i nit ial ly feed on the current year’s growth and t hen move to feed on the older needles. Carefully withdraw the frame and larvae (if present) and continue to hold flat for at least a minute. The hemlock looper is native to North America and is found throughout much of the eastern half of the continent on a wide variety of coniferous and deciduous hosts. Abstract: The western hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa (Hulst), is a destructive defoliator that causes damage periodically to western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) It is critical that you have early detection for looper if you plan to use B.t., as it must be applied before the peak of the third instar to be effective. 0000003635 00000 n 0000003591 00000 n 0000035449 00000 n Trees that lose more than 70% of their total needle compliment usually experience long term effects such as branch, top, and even some tree mortality. In situations where asthetic appearance is not so important then control measures do not need to be taken until sample numbers exceed 30-40 larve/sample. 0000430455 00000 n 0000013193 00000 n Each forewing has an angular, often darker, band set off by two narrow dark lines. conditions. 0000037449 00000 n Deciduous hosts are much less affected by looper and rarely experience significant damage. In heavily infested stands it is not uncommon to find large numbers of moths resting on trunks of trees and on low deciduous vegetation. Advice should be sought as to a course of action in forested areas. Hemlock looper damage usually occurs in mature stands where severe 0000046937 00000 n 0000012179 00000 n More Locations, Phone: (207) 287-3200 The effects of western hemlock looper on a range of ecosystem features have not been well documented. In the last, or fifth instar, most larvae are roughly 1.25" in length and 1/8" or more across. 0000002765 00000 n Based on observations made during the recent outbreak, pesticide control is rarely necessary to protect commercial forest stands. The hemlock looper has been recorded from every native conifer and many deciduous hosts in Maine as well as some shrubs and ornamentals. Once damaged, needles usually die. Hemlock looper larvae are wasteful feeders, in that they damage but do not consume the entire n eed le. The Western hemlock looper moth, a native species that defoliates trees, is common in B.C. 35 0 obj<>stream The larger larvae are very messy feeders, moving about "nipping" foliage (which later dies) and, when disturbed, dropping from the trees onto undergrowth where defoliation is often heaviest. xref The western hemlock looper, Lambdina . The western false hemlock looper is a relatively uncommon forest pest in Region 1. The Hemlock Looper Moth has one generation a year. 0000008538 00000 n Western Hemlock Looper (WHL or IDL) The western hemlock looper is a native defoliator of western hemlock, western redcedar, Douglas-fir and Interior spruce. Hemlock, fir, and white spruce trees can lose a significant portion of their needles in a single season when hemlock looper populations are heavy. Five to ten larvae per sample could produce noticeable feeding damage in the current season. 0000045390 00000 n Following the second molt (the third instar) the body darkens and begins to gain the more typical banded and spotted pattern of mature larvae. Coastal hemlock seems much more resilient. %%EOF 0000002060 00000 n Hemlock looper caused serious, but small scale, defoliation in some parts of Maine in the 60's, but it did not become a major problem in Maine until the late 80's and early 90's when severe hemlock and fir defoliation expanded to a quarter million acres over the southern half of the state. 0000005388 00000 n Trees that lose more than 70% of their total needle compliment usually experience long term effects such as branch, top, and even some tree mortality. Pesticide recommendations are contingent on continued EPA and Maine Board of Pesticides Control registration and are subject to change. If you're unsure that the insects you observe are indeed hemlock looper, save some larvae in alcohol and send them in for positive identification. First instar larvae are tiny (1/8" or less), gray and white banded with black heads. Hemlock looper. ages of foliage; therefore, severe defoliation during outbreaks may cause tree mortality after a … 0000009385 00000 n Table 8: Summary of balsam twig aphid (Mindarus abietinus) damage surveys conducted by Forest Health in Nova Scotia from 2003 to 2013. These fly readily when disturbed. 0000003436 00000 n Pesticide treatments may be warranted to protect high value residential or recreational properties especially near bodies of water and when stands are on shallow, ledgy soils. It is a serious pest of balsam fir in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. sustain severe damage may die within a season. Hemlock Looper outbreaks rarely last more than three or four years; the infestations are noted for their rapid escalation and sudden collapse with very high levels of defoliation and associated tree mortality. The female lays her tiny eggs on mosses and lichens on understory vegetation and tree limbs (Powell and Opler 2009). A beating yielding one to five larvae would probably indicate low defoliation except where the trees were heavily defoliated the season before. If loopers are present, they should then fall on to the sheet. Caution - For your own protection and that of the environment, apply the pesticide only in strict accordance with label directions and precautions. This species overwinters as eggs laid on moss, lichens or bark. Significant tree mortality occurs in stands that lose greater than 90% of their foliage. P596. Eggs hatch from May to early June. 0000038831 00000 n 0000003718 00000 n Are enough larvae present to warrant control when there are enough larvae present to warrant control label directions and.! And are subject to change tree trunks, laid on bark lichens or.. Inchworm type caterpillars feed on all by western hemlock Tsuga consume the entire n le. In damage to trees and forested areas heavy looper populations can kill conifers in northwestern America. 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