Douglas fir cone moths: what is their lifecycle in relation to the cone?

• A. Adults lay eggs directly on the cone; larvae feed on seeds; overwinters as a pupa in the cone.
• B. They feed on bark and overwinter as adults.
• C. They only feed on needles; overwinter in soil.
• D. They lay eggs on foliage; overwinter as larvae on needles.

Answer: (A)

The lifecycle centers on the cone itself: adults lay eggs directly on developing cones, the hatched larvae bore into the cone and feed on the seeds inside, and they overwinter as pupae within the cone, emerging later to repeat the cycle. This makes the cone the key location for feeding and development, with the seed-filled cone providing both food and shelter through the cold season. The other options don’t fit because they place the eggs, feeding, or overwintering on bark, needles, foliage, or in soil, which isn’t how this cone-dwelling species operates.