Earlier this year as growth hardened off on two ponderosa pines, I noticed that a few of this year's needles were yellowing, browning and falling out of their sheaths. I've gone back today to the locations and pressed on some of the buds and found out that while they looked nice, they were hollowed out. I opened up a few of them and found these. Any idea what they are and how to treat?
September 17, 2020:
August 18, 2020 on ponderosa 2:
July 18, 2020 on ponderosa 1:
If your lost in the mountains those grubs are a good source of protein until you find your way out of the mountains!
Guys this is the grossest post so far!
Pine Tip Moth https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5351725.pdf
Treat with Bayer Advanced in the srpring:
OK, I probably should have googled around before asking this question, but I think I have a potential answer and will leave this up in case it helps others.
I found this PDF of insects that infect ponderosas in Colorado and on page 30 it describes a moth behavior that seemed to match up (infects/kills tips, produces pitch):
https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_rm/rm_gtr075.pdf
Looked up that genus and I would say the photos on this Wikipedia article of the pupae match closely:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioryctria_ponderosae
The PDF says infections are rarely heavy enough to be serious, but they got 3 - 4 buds on each of my two ponderosas this year. Has anyone dealt with this and have good prevention / eradication strategy?