Below is the damage from a Nantucket Pine Tip Moth. I was called to see the damage in the pine stand last week and found that nearly 80% of the planting was affected at some level. The Pine Tip Moth is all too common in our area and can cause significant stunting and limb distortion in severe cases. Unfortunately, control is usually not economical out of a nursery situation or when the trees are over four years old. This is due mainly to the fact that trees would be too tall to spray with a tractor effectively. If you experience light damage in a small stand of trees it would be beneficial to remove the damaged branches, but otherwise control is not recommended. Tree death is rare and in most cases the trees will experience slight damage and stunting, but will grow out of the most susceptible stages after five years. If you feel absolutely compelled to spray something a cheap labeled pyrethroid insecticide will work.
Nantucket Pine Tip Moth damage.
Nantucket Pine Tip Moth damage.
NPTM Larva Feeding.
NPTM Adult.