Western poplar clearwing

Parathene robiniae, the western poplar clearwing can be found on occasion attacking aspens and poplars in nursery systems. The clearwing moths emerge from host plants in summer. The wasplike moths fly to trees where they lay eggs singly in bark crevices often near wounds. The larvae that hatch from these eggs move to a feeding site and begin to eat their way into the phloem and cambium and later form galleries in the wood. It takes two seasons for the larvae to reach maturity and exit from the trees.

Damage is generally found in trunks and larger branches. Sap oozes from wounds and granular frass can be seen.

Forest Pests of North America: Western poplar clearwing

Clearwing Moth Management Guidelines from UC IPM Online has good information for a variety of clearwing moths including a list of pheromone suppliers.

Another local pheromone supplier not included in the list above is Advanced Pheromone Technologies. This is a link to their technical guide for trapping sequoia pitch moth.

Photo: James Solomon

Page last modified 10/25/06