Pine Needle Sheathminer
Common NamePine Needle Sheathminer
Scientific NameColeotechnites piceaella
FamilyGelechiidae
SubfamilyGelechiinae
Wingspan (mm)12
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsyellow, orange, white, grey
HabitatConiferous forests, spruce and pine plantations
Geographic RangeNorth America (eastern and central Canada, northeastern United States)
Host Plantsspruce, pine, fir
Flight PeriodLate May to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are needle miners, feeding within the needles of conifers. They overwinter as larvae and pupate within the mined needles or in the litter.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, elongated body shape when at rest, and the combination of yellowish-orange forewings with a prominent fluffy white head. It is typically found in association with spruce and pine trees.
Description
A small, slender moth with a distinctive elongated resting posture. Its forewings are primarily yellowish-orange, often with a white streak along the costa, and it has a notably fluffy white head.
