A small moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (family Tortricidae), having larvae that are destructive to pine shoots, which is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America.
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in Scientific Monthly.
Definition of pine shoot moth in US English:
pine shoot moth
noun
A small moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (family Tortricidae), having larvae that are destructive to pine shoots, which is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America.