''Cydia ingens'', commonly known as the longleaf pine seedworm moth, is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. It is found in southeastern North America. The

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...

s feed on the seeds of longleaf pine (''Pinus palustris''), slash pine (''Pinus elliottii''), and loblolly pine (''Pinus taeda''). It was first described by American entomologist Carl Heinrich in 1926 as ''Laspeyresia ingens''.

Distribution and habitat

''C. ingens'' has been recorded in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina, but probably occurs throughout the range of its preferred host plant, ''Pinus palustris''. It can be found in pine forests and coastal plains where its hosts are present.

Description

Adult ''C. ingens'' are grayish-brown, similar in appearance to '' Cydia toreuta'', with a wingspan of approximately . The head is a dirty white color. The forewings are ashy-brown with several metallic bars that are edged with black (one of which is usually broken into a dorsal and ventral bar) and a conspicuous black line running along the wingtip, which is fringed with silver. The hindwings are a smoky-fuscous color with a paler fringe. Larvae are whitish and grub-like.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5199132 Grapholitini Moths of North America Lepidoptera of the United States Taxa named by Carl Heinrich Moths described in 1926