It prefers loblolly and shortleaf pines, but also feeds on slash, longleaf, and pond pines. Description of Damage An important pest in the South that is known to cause widespread damage in young pine plantations. However, it is not considered an important pest in Virginia. Defoliation during the spring and summer is not serious because larvae feed on the older foliage. In the fall, defoliation may exceed 90 percent of the total crown, resulting in considerable growth loss for the next growing season.
Defoliation also predisposes trees to bark beetle attack.
In contrast, caterpillars never have more than five prolegs. Older larvae are 25 mm long, and have glossy black heads and olive green bodies. They have two longitudinal black stripes on their back, with a row of black spots on each side, and a large spot on the last abdominal segment. Mature larvae spin golden-brown cocoons that are 3.2 x 7.5 mm in size. Cocoons can be found in the soil, on twigs, in bark crevices, and beneath loose bark scales.