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Glyphidocera juniperella Adamski. A webworm infesting juniper and sometimes other plant species. The larvae of this moth prefer moist conditions and usually infest prostrate growing junipers. The larvae feed on dead or living foliage and web the foliage along with the soil media. The larvae are tan to dark brown in color and about 0.5 - 0.75 inches long at maturity. In the winter, the larvae feed on the bark and girdle small stems at the base of plant. These stems turn red in the spring and require removal before sale. Larval populations should be controlled in the fall to remove the overwintering larvae. Little or no damage is done to the plants at other times of the year. Infestations are readily detected by lifting the plant foliage off the potting media. If the plants are infested, the foliage and the media will be webbed together at the soil surface. Several parasites are known to attack the larvae and pupae.
Common host plants: junipers such as Juniperus chinensis var procumbens 'Nana', J. horizontalis 'Wiltonii' (blue rug), 'Prince of Wales' and Androrra compacta. They also will feed on the dead leaves collecting in the limb crotches of azalea.
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