The hemlock looper Lambdina fiscellaria is a defoliating insect native to North America. It occurs in the eastern United States from Maine to Georgia and west to Wisconsin. The larvae can be extremely destructive to hemlock, balsam fir, and white spruce. During an outbreak it will also feed on many other species including: larch, red and black spruce, cedar, jack pine, paper and yellow birch, basswood, maple, elm, and wild cherry. Hemlocks may die after one year of severe defoliation, fir in one or two years. |
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