INSECTS of... Conifer Branch and Stem

Common Name:	SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE S-shaped, or serpentine, galleries made by adult SOUTHERN PINE BEETLES.
Other:	Pine bark beetle
Species	Dendroctonus frontalis
Common Hosts:	Loblolly pine Pinus taeda Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
Description	Adult- approximately 3 mm long; reddish-brown to black; round rear end. Pupa - size of adult; creamy white Larva - size variable, approximately 4 mm long when mature; orange-brown head, white body; legless.
Number of Generations	6 to 8 generations per year.
Signs of Infestation	Foliage discoloration: needles color sequence, green to yellow to red to brown. Small lumps of whitish pitch (approximately 12 mm wide) on stem of tree, extending up to a height of 18 m on the stem. Reddish-brown boring dust caught in bark crevices or on leaves of undergrowth. Narrow S-shaped galleries under bark.
Similar Damage	IPS ENGRAVER BEETLES: Adult beetles have scooped, spined rear ends; galleries Y-shaped or H-shaped. BLACK TURPENTINE BEETLE: Adult beetles larger, approximately 9 mm long; pitch tubes larger, at base of tree; galleries D-shaped.
Control	Maintain tree vigor and health. Avoid mechanical injuries to trees. Cut and remove infested tree or peel bark and destroy beetle infested bark. Spray the nearby uninfested or high-risk trees with an approved insecticide during periods of beetle activity. Note: Contact your local county forester if you believe that the pine bark beetle is infesting your trees is the Southern Pine Beetle.
More on the Southern Pine Beetle

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Bulletin No. 196-A | Printed October, 1983 | Contact the Forest Health Section

SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE