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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Pyraloidea) » Pyralid Moths (Pyralidae) » Phycitinae » Phycitini » Dioryctria » Southern Pine Coneworm - Hodges#5853 (Dioryctria amatella)

Species Dioryctria amatella - Southern Pine Coneworm - Hodges#5853

Southern Pine Coneworm - Hodges #5853 - Dioryctria amatella

Southern Pine Coneworm - Dioryctria amatella

Dioryctria amatella - Southern Pine Coneworm - Dioryctria amatella

Southern Pine Coneworm Moth - Dioryctria amatella

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Pyraloidea (Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths)

Family Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)

Subfamily Phycitinae

Tribe Phycitini

Genus Dioryctria

Species amatella (Southern Pine Coneworm - Hodges#5853)

Hodges Number

5853

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Dioryctria amatella (Hulst, 1887)

Nephopteryx amatella Hulst, 1887

Size

Wingspan: 27–32 mm (1)

Identification

Adult: FW dark gray to brown to nearly black and are boldly patterned with multiple contrasting white patches and zig-zag crossbands. The hindwings are light gray to tan. (1)

Range

Found in the south-eastern United States, from Maryland south to Florida and west into Texas. (1)

Season

There are one to four generations per year, with adults on wing from early April to early November. (1)

Food

The preferred host is longleaf pine, but other pines have been reported.

Life Cycle

The species overwinters as an early instar larvae at the base of persistent cones, under bud scales or in fusiform galls on branches and stems. (1)

Internet References

Moth Photographers Group – species page (2)

BOLD Systems - images of DNA supported specimens (3)

Wikipedia - brief description (1)

Florida Featured Creatures – detailed description & images--link updated 8/10/25 (4)

Works Cited

1.	Wikipedia

2.	North American Moth Photographers Group

3.	BOLD: The Barcode of Life Data Systems

4.	University of Florida: Featured Creatures Series

Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 28 June, 2005 - 3:49pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Chuck Entz, Robert Lord Zimlich, Kyhl Austin
Last updated 10 August, 2025 - 11:48am

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