Fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), prefer cones previously exploited by the spruce cone maggots Strobilomyia neanthracina Michelsen and Strobilomyia appalachensis Michelsen (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

We tested the prediction that larvae of the fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella (Grote), preferentially exploit cones previously damaged by cone maggots, Strobilomyia spp. In most years sampled, fir coneworm attacked a significantly greater proportion of maggot-damaged than healthy cones of both white spruce and black spruce. The ecological implications for pest management are briefly discussed.