Oak Pests - Minor Defoliators

Insect	Injury	Control
Spring cankerworm, Paleacrita vernata; the larva (figure 13) is a typical looper, yellowish brown to greenish black with two yellowish stripes, about 1.2 inch (30 mm) long; the female moth is wingless, gray with black dorsal line; one generation per year.	Many hosts, heavy on live oak in Texas; skeletonizes leaves at branch tips; may devour all but midribs and large veins; outbreaks can occur on shade trees and forested areas; reduces tree vigor and growth.	1 2 11 12
Linden looper, Erannis tiliaria; the larva (figure 14) is a looper-type, yellow with brown head and 10 wavy black lines on dorsum,1.5 inches (37 mm) long; female moth is wingless, yellowish gray with two rows of black spots; one generation per year.	Many hosts, heavy on white oaks in South; partial feeding on individual leaves (ragging) is typical, complete defoliation occurs during outbreaks; outbreaks less common in South than in North; reduces tree vigor and growth.	1 2 11
Pinkstriped oakworm, Anisota virginiensis; the larva (figure 15) is greenish brown with four pink stripes, a pair of long, curved "horns" is on the second thoracic segment, 2 inches (50 mm) long; the adult is a brownish-red moth, white spot on forewings; two generations per year.	Red and white oaks; leaves eaten except leaf stalks and midribs;stripped branches and trees common, entire stands less common; defoliation in summer and fall; less common than orangestriped oakworm, except in bottomland forests; causes growth loss and crown decline.	1 11
Spiny oakworm, Anisota stigma; the larva (figure 16) is tawny and pinkish with white specks, 2 inches (50 mm) long, two long curved "horns" are on the second thoracic segment, and short spines on all other segments; one or two generations per year.	Red and white oaks; larvae feed on leaves, July to September, consuming all but leaf stalk and main veins; partial defoliation common; heavy widespread defoliation uncommon.	1 11
Asiatic oak weevil, Cyrtepistomus castaneus; adults (figure 17) are greenish-brown to black weevils, .25 inch (6 mm) long, with short snouts; one generation per year.	Wide host range, including red and white oaks; adults emerge in spring and feed on leaves by chewing in from the margins toward the midribs and devour all but the larger veins; during fall they create nuisances by invading houses in large numbers.	1 11
Oak leaftier, Croesia semipurpurana; the larva (figure 18) is dirty white to light green, .5 inch (12 mm) long, pale head, brownish thoracic legs; adults are yellow with brown markings; one generation per year.	Foliage of red oak group; young larvae feed on buds in early spring; older larvae fold or tie together sections of leaves with webbing and feed inside the folds until late May; severe outbreaks have occurred in upland oaks, killing some trees, with decline of others.	1 11