Orange Mint Moth Identification

Orange Mint Moth

Contents


Orange Mint Moth larval Instars, Prepupa and Pupa	Orange Mint Moth Adult
	The orange mint moth overwinters as a prepupa in plant debris. First generation adults emerge in the spring in early May and lay single eggs on terminal foliage, especially on the leaf buds or small leaves below the buds. Eggs hatch in 4 days and larvae bore into leaf buds or feed on small leaves. Older larvae feed on leaves, which are frequently silked together by larvae. Larger larvae cause the most visible plant damage. Development time from egg to adult requires 32 to 40 days in the summer. Mature larvae drop from the plant and construct a pupal case in the soil. The pupal stage requires about 11 days. There are three summer generations each year. Larval feeding injury is evident from late May through October. Leaf injury is similar to that caused by larvae of the false celery leaftier. This insect is not a serious pest on mint.
Orange Mint Moth Eggs	Photos from Keith Pike, WSU, Prosser, WA

This section contains information on the orange mint moth in peppermint (see Pike et al. 1986). It has been shown that this insect is not economically important in mint. Larvae feed on terminal growth and leaf buds and may cause increased lateral branching, leaf production, and higher oil yields. Adults of the false celery leaftier and mint root borer also may be present in mint fields at the same time.