Skip to Left Navigation Menu | Skip to page content

Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner - James R. Karels, Director

Download Document Viewers

Insects of Conifer Foliage

Cypress Leaf Beetle
Pine Colaspis
Webworm
Pine Sawflies
Woolly Pine Scale
Pine Scale

Forest Health > Insects and Diseases publication

INSECTS of... Conifer Foliage

Common Name:	PINE COLASPIS Pine needles showing feeding damage by adult PINE COLASPIS
Other:	Leaf beetle
Species	Colaspis pini
Common Hosts:	Loblolly pine Pinus taeda Longleaf pine Pinus palustris Sand pine Pinus clausa Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata Slash pine Pinus elliottii Spruce pine Pinus glabra
Description	Adult - approximately 6 mm long; rusty yellow to brown head and body; robust body with reflective green highlights.
Importance	Pine colaspis damage occasionally becomes severe in a young pine stand, however, growth loss is little or none in most cases.
Biology and Habits	Adult beetles become active on trees by early summer. The females beetles lay their eggs on the herbaceous undergrowth in the pine stand. The larvae feed on roots of the grasses and weeds in the stand. Overwinter as larvae in the soil and then pupate in the spring.
Number of Generations	1 generation per year.
Signs of Infestation	Scattered patches of reddish-brown or scorched crowns in a young pine plantation. Needles with a ragged or serrated edge; needles turn brown opposite the chewed tissues. New needles alone affected if the beetle population is low; otherwise all needles are injured by the feeding adult beetles.
Similar Damage	PINE CHAFER: Approximately 8 mm long; entirely light tan or head and neck a greenish bronze, body a dark tan; damage is a notching of a needle bundle just above the sheath; the needles become brown or appear scorched. REPRODUCTION WEEVILS: Small patches of bark removed from branches and stems; long snout on beetles NOTE: All three types of insects feed on pine trees at night. It is difficult to detect the insects because of this habit.
Control	Promote tree vigor and health to aid in the recovery from defoliation. Generally, only severe defoliation of high-value trees warrant the consideration of control with an insecticide. Use an approved insecticide.

BACK

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

Division of Forestry Shield

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services