Common NameSpruce ConewormSeasonalityBroad flight period depending on locality. Ranges from June - late August.IdentificationWingspan: 9.5-11.0 mm. Lacking raised scales. Forewing primarily brown with contrasting white dentate bands and discocellular spot. Male genitalia: Uncus not constricted. Valve with prominent apical projection and reduced accessory spine. Vesica with many small cornutii and lacking a large cornutus. Similar to D. abietivorella though primarily brown with a more dentate postmedial band. Subbasal area with prominent orange patch lacking in D. abietivorella. Morphologically nearly identical to Dioryctria pseudotsugella. Minor variations in transverse band dentation and coloration have been used to separate the species (Mutuura and Munroe 1973; Neunzig 2004), though intermediate specimens are present in regions of overlap. Larval host records are also used for identification though host overlap also occurs. Accurate separation of D.pseudotsugella and D. reniculelloides specimens is difficult (Sopow et al. 1996).
Scientific NameDioryctria reniculelloidesCommon Name
Spruce Coneworm
Habitat
Common, found in various coniferous forest types throughout range.
Seasonality
Broad flight period depending on locality. Ranges from June - late August.
Identification
Wingspan: 9.5-11.0 mm. Lacking raised scales. Forewing primarily brown with contrasting white dentate bands and discocellular spot. Male genitalia: Uncus not constricted. Valve with prominent apical projection and…
Wingspan: 9.5-11.0 mm. Lacking raised scales. Forewing primarily brown with contrasting white dentate bands and discocellular spot. Male genitalia: Uncus not constricted. Valve with prominent apical projection and reduced accessory spine. Vesica with many small cornutii and lacking a large cornutus. Similar to D. abietivorella though primarily brown with a more dentate postmedial band. Subbasal area with prominent orange patch lacking in D. abietivorella. Morphologically nearly identical to Dioryctria pseudotsugella. Minor variations in transverse band dentation and coloration have been used to separate the species (Mutuura and Munroe 1973; Neunzig 2004), though intermediate specimens are present in regions of overlap. Larval host records are also used for identification though host overlap also occurs. Accurate separation of D.pseudotsugella and D. reniculelloides specimens is difficult (Sopow et al. 1996).
Life History
Adults fly July - August and lay eggs on host. Eggs hatch prior to witnter and first instar larvae overwinters without feeding (Mutuura and Munroe). Larvae feed primarily on cones when abundant, though switch to…
Adults fly July - August and lay eggs on host. Eggs hatch prior to witnter and first instar larvae overwinters without feeding (Mutuura and Munroe). Larvae feed primarily on cones when abundant, though switch to feeding on needles and shoots when scarce (McLeod and Daviault 1963). Larvae pupate in late June - early July.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Primary larval host are spruce species (Piceaspp.), though have also been recorded on the following: Douglas fir, hemlock, fir and lodgepole pine (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga, Abies and Pinus contorta).
Range
Yukon and Northwest Territories south to California and New Mexico; range extends east to Nova Scotia and New York (Mutuura and Munroe 1973).
Citation
Page Citation for Dioryctria reniculelloides
Page Citation
"Species Details - Dioryctria reniculelloides, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4935. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.