Southern Pine Bark Beetles

Description:
Southern pine bark beetles (Dendroctonus frontalis) are tiny (about 1/4" long) shiny, blue-green beetles that are fatal to pine trees. Not only do they eat away at the fleshy cambium layer beneath the bark, they spread a fungus that kills the tree completely within one year.

Damage:
Southern pine bark beetles are attracted to weakened pine trees. In fact they will travel great distances when they detect the scent of a weak pine. The males set out first and then call the females to supper by releasing a pheromone. The feeding ground of the pine beetle, the cambium layer, is responsible for transporting nutrients up into the tree. When the beetles tunnel through and eat the cambium (see Fig. 1) they disrupt the flow of nutrients and water causing branches to appear girdled. The fugal infestation transmitted by the beetles furthers the damage by clogging the sapwood and literally starving the tree.

Prevention:
Keep those pine trees healthy! Water and fertilize them when needed. If a tree becomes Severely damaged ( by tornado, lightning, disease, car wreck, etc.) remove it immediately and destroy it or else it will beacon male pine bark beetles.

Prune pines in the winter only, when the beetles are not around.

Management:
Once a pine tree is infested with southern pine bark beetles there is no hope. Remove the tree and destroy it, i.e. burn it!