Pine white
- Latin name: Neophasia menapia (C. & R. Felder)
- French name: Piéride du pin
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Pieridae
Description
Damage, symptoms and biology
The pine white is a common and occasionally destructive colonial defoliator.Mature larva to 25 mm long. Head and body green with white flecking; subdorsal and spiracular stripes cream to yellowish white.
This species overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae emerge in June and feed gregariously on older foliage, mature larvae feed individually on the new flush. Larvae pupate in July on bark, branches or on low vegetation. Adults emerge 10 to 15 days later and are in flight from July to August. Eggs are laid in rows on needles.
Life cycle (West of the Rockies)
| Stage/Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Egg | Larva | Chrysalis | Adult |
|---|
Other information
A localized outbreak near Okanagan Landing from 1962 to 1966 resulted in limited mortality of ponderosa pine over about 150 ha.Canadian Forest Service Publications
Diet and feeding behaviour
-
Phyllophagous
: Feeds on the leaves of plants.
- Free-living defoliator: Feeds on and moves about freely on foliage.