Juniper Webworm

Juniper webworm (Daeborneris marginella) attacks horizontalis, depressa, aurea and most of the Chinese junipers. The adult moths are active in June and July and have one generation per year. Adults last about two weeks and are often found on or near the host plants. The adult moth has a copper brown band with a white stripe on each side on the forewings.

Eggs are laid singly on the leaves or at the axils of current year growth. The female lies between fifty and one hundred and twenty or more eggs. The eggs change from white to yellow then yellow to orange with the final color being red. The new larvae feed as leaf miners. Many leaves are mined before the larvae emerge and feed as surface feeders. While they are surface feeders, they protect themselves with silken tubes that they spin over the feeding site. Initial feeding usually goes unnoticed. These webworm over winter as larvae. Feeding is often resumed in the spring and additional webbing is produced. The larvae feeding cause the foliage to turn brown.

Control

There are several natural predators on juniper webworm. They include a mite and several insects. Chemical controls are also available. Check with your local university Cooperative Extension Service for the correct pesticide and timing.

Written by James Schuster, Extension Educator, Horticulture, and reviewed by Philip L. Nixon, Extension Specialist-Entomology, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.