Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. , n i r a e y= ye e nao|> (A2O\ (Gea n, a = ALL keI N 3S$ ! (Q _—— j| [i = United States ay ee Ee Department of ; Agriculture oe x Bhw ) Forest Service’L - AGRIC. LIBRARY read G NNoAr-tThPe-a1s8t-e9r3n Areas — FRorE youFrE 2NTfIiAlNe s COPY 2 [\\ ( ? Possible New Introduction European Spruce Bark Beetle || Adults of the European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), recently were collected in pheromone-baited traps at the Port of Erie, Pennsylvania. There is no evidence that this species is established in the United States, but the detection signifies a threat to North American forests. In its native range of Europe and Asia, the spruce bark beetle is one of the most serious pests of spruce. The beetle prefers Norway spruce but also attacks other ee ae spruce. It occasionally feeds on fir, pine, and larch. Figure 2. European spruce bark beetle, side view. Surveys for European spruce bark beetles should concentrate Life History on recently fallen, weakened, or diseased spruce, especially Norway spruce. Red-brown dust in bark crevices, numerous Adults fly in the first warm days of spring, round (exit) holes, or small pitch tubes extruded from the traveling up to 10 miles or more in search bark can be evidence of these or other bark beetles. Adults of a suitable host. The beetles prefer can be attracted to the pheromone Ipslure. Large populations recently dead, diseased, or weakened of bark beetles can sometimes be detected from a distance by trees, especially those damaged by storm one or more areas of red-topped trees. and drought. During outbreaks, how- ever, the beetles attack and may kill Recognizing the Beetle healthy trees. Adults bore into the trunk and construct tunnels under the bark The following features will aid in recognizing the European where they mate and lay eggs (Fig. 1). spruce bark beetle: In 2 to 5 weeks, these same adults may exit the first host, fly to another tree, A ¢ Beetle is cylindrical, red-brown to brown and 4.2-5.5 construct new tunnels, and lay more eggs. s S = Larvae feed and pupate under the bark. | Li ANS mm long (Fig. 2). Adults overwinter in forest litter and in the YA M ¢ Concave posterior portion of abdomen (declivity) has bark of host trees. There are 1 to 3 genera- oo Figure 1. four teeth on each side (Fig. 3, 4). tions a year, with two being common in European spruce t of Europe bark beetle . Tooth 2 is nearly ee ee larval tunnels. equidistant from teeth Damage and Detection 1 and 3 (Fig. 3, 4, 5). e« Tooth 3 is knobbed The European spruce bark beetle carries set fungi (capitate) in both pathogenic to conifers. The most serious of these is a blue sexes (Fig. 5). stain fungus, Ophiostoma polonicum Siem., which is capable of killing healthy trees. This fungus eventually interferes e Concavity at poste- with the upward flow of water in the tree, resulting in wilted rior of abdomen is foliage. Diseased wood is stained with blue streaks, which Figure 3. Concavity of posterior dull, without large markedly reduces its commercial value. ; abdomen of European spruce bark setae (Fig. 6). beetle, rear view, showing four pairs of teeth. Figure 4. Posterior abdomen of European spruce bark beetle, side Figure 6. Concavity (shiny) of posterior abdomen of pine view, showing four teeth. engraver, rear view. Adults of the spruce bark beetle are similar to some of our native [ps species. In the Northeastern United States, the Pine engraver beetle, [ps pini (Say), is a common scolytid that resembles the European spruce bark beetle. The pine engraver differs in that it is smaller (3.3-4.3 mm long); the posterior concavity of the abdomen is shiny (Fig. 6); tooth 2 is distinctly closer to tooth 3 than to tooth 1 (Fig. 7); and only the male has a capitate tooth 3 (Fig. 7). On the female pine engraver, tooth 3 is conical and similar to teeth 2 and 4. ee Be a o SP ows Ke euesvneee mee aig Ge Figure 7. Concavity of posterior abdomen of male pine engraver, rear view, showing tooth 2 close to tooth 3. Prepared by: / Joe/Cavey and Steven\Passoa (USDA Animal and Plant Heatth Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Northeastern Region).) Technical Advisors: Robert Haack (USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station); and Daniel R. Kucera (USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Figure 5. Concavity (dull) of posterior abdomen of European spruce Private Forestry). bark beetle. Photographic Credits: Steven Passoa, Joe Cavey, and John Mitchell (The Ohio State University) Anyone recognizing this insect or it's damage should contact: 2 ae