Nantucket pine tip moth infestations in relation to stand type

The Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionis frustrana (Comstock) Is a common pest of young pines. In the eastern United States all species of yellow pines are attacked to some degree except longleaf pine, Pinus palustrla Mill. (Yates 1960).

Chemical control of the tip moth has been demonstrated to be effective, but It generally has been considered to be too expensive since the evidence was only Inconclusive as to any permanent additional height growth of pines resulting from complete control. There has been considerable speculation about silvicultural control and a number of methods have been suggested by various workers. Many of these methods, however, have not been backed by quantitative data. Some of the suggested silvicultural controls are mixing susceptible species with resistant species, starting. trees under an overstory, using close spacing, and starting trees In brush. To date, there have been no detailed investigations of silvicultural control for the tip moth.

This study was designed to determine if stands of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., growing under various conditions show any differences in rate of attack by the tip moth that might, In the future, be a basis for silvicultural or integrated control.