Elm Spanworm, A Pest of Hardwood Forests in the Southern Appalachians

Author: Fedde, Gerhard F.

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 62, Number 2, 1 February 1964 , pp. 102-106(5)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

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Abstract:

The elm spanworm (Ennomos subsignatius [Hbn.]) epidemic in the southern Appalachians has continued for nearly a decade, and large portions of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee are still infested. Weather, parasitism, predation, and disease have exerted pressure in localized areas but have not prevented the spread of the spanworm into new localities. Spanworm larvae in the southern Appalachians begin hatching from clusters of overwintering eggs toward the end of April. The intensity of larval feeding keeps pace with developing shoots until late June when pupation starts. Shortly thereafter, the moths emerge and the eggs are usually all deposited before the end of July, thus completing the life cycle. Yearly larval defoliation of upland hardwoods during the early summer has resulted in tree mortality and stand deterioration. Hickories and the white and red oak groups have been most heavily attacked, although practically all hardwood trees, except yellow-poplar, are susceptible to some damage. Besides timber losses, the spanworm has adversely affected forest recreation, hunting, fishing, and the summer tourist business.

Document Type: Journal article

Affiliations: 1: Southeastern Forest Expt. Sta., Forest Service, U. S. Dept. Agric., Asheville, N. C.

Publication date: 1964-02-01

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