Description:

The adult is a small gray moth with blackish-brown patches on the forewings and a wingspan of about 2/3 of an inch (17 mm). Larvae are about one-half inch (12 mm) long, creamy to dirty white when young and yellowish-green with dark brown heads and necks when mature. 

Damage:

Larvae feed in, but rarely damage, the foliage of large pecan trees.  They also feed on young nuts in the spring and infest the shucks in the fall.  However, the most serious damage occurs on pecan nursery stock, where the larvae feed on the terminal buds and unfolding foliage.  They can stop or delay leaf development and may cause excessive branching and stunted growth in young pecan trees.

Seasonal History:

The pecan bud moth overwinters as an adult.  Moths begin laying eggs on the twigs near buds when the buds open in the spring.  When foliage appears, they lay more eggs on the upper surfaces of the leaves.  The eggs hatch and larvae begin feeding on the foliage.  After feeding for about 25 days, larvae pupate in rolled-up leaves or infested buds, and sometimes, under bark scales.  There are probably five or six generations per year. 

When to Control:

Control is seldom necessary in bearing groves.  Young orchards may require treatment at or immediately after bud break to prevent bud loss and defoliation.