|
BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE
Large pitch tubes at base of a tree infested by the BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE. |
Other: |
Pine bark beetle |
| Species |
Dendroctonus terebrans |
| Common Hosts: |
Loblolly
pine Pinus taeda
Longleaf pine Pinus palustris
Pond pine Pinus serotina
Sand pine Pinus clausa
Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
Slash pine Pinus elliottii
Spruce pine Pinus glabra |
Description |
Adult - approximately 9 mm long; reddish-brown to black; round rear end.
Pupa - size of adult; creamy white.
Larva - variable size, approximately 12 mm long when mature; orange-brown head, white body; legless. |
Number
of Generations |
2 ½ to 3
generations per year. |
Signs
of Infestation |
Foliage
discoloration: needle color sequence, green to yellow to red
to brown. Large lumps of pitch (approximately 25 mm wide) on
stem of tree; prevalent from butt and up 2m. Pitch tubes pinkish-white
to reddish-brown, fade to purplish gray after 1 or 2 months.
Coarse dark brown particles caught in bark crevices or at base
of tree. Wide D-shaped galleries under bark. Roots infested.
Rarely infests trees under 15 cm in diameter. |
Similar
Damage |
SOUTHERN
PINE BEETLE: Adult beetles have rounded rear ends; galleries
S-shaped; adult beetles smaller, approximately 3 mm long. IPS
ENGRAVER BEETLES: Adult beetles have scooped, spined rear ends;
galleries Y-shaped or H-shaped; adult beetles smaller, approximately
3-5 mm long. |
Control |
Maintain
tree health and vigor. Avoid mechanical injuries to trees.
Compare total number of pitch tubes to diameter of tree in
inches at a point approximately 4 ½ feet above ground. If
the number of pitch tubes is less than the tree diameter,
see 1; if the number of pitch tubes is greater than the stem
diameter, see 2:
1.
Spray the infested tree and nearby uninfested trees with an
approved insecticide. Apply spray three feet above highest
pitch tube and work down to ground level. This method may
save the infested tree.
2.
Cut and remove beetle-infested tree if bark beetles are still
present. |
Bulletin No. 196-A | Printed October, 1983 | Contact the
Forest Health Section 
