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Silver-spotted Tiger Moth

R. W. Duncan

Introduction

The silver-spotted tiger moth, Lophocampa argentata (Packard) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is a common defoliator of conifers in southwestern British Columbia. Larvae are frequently observed in winter and early spring when most other insects are inactive.

There is no evidence that this pest has ever caused serious damage and it is regarded as economically unimportant. The chief injury it causes is the unsightly stripping of foliage on scattered branches of infested trees. Infestations do occasionally occur; one outbreak occurred from 1953 to 1956 on southern Vancouver Island.

For more information, see the Silver-spotted Tiger Moth Forest Pest Leaflet in the Canadian Forest Service bookstore.