Pine bark beetles are damaging pines all over the south. The three most damaging beetles are the southern pine beetle, black turpentine beetle, and the 3 Ips engraver beetles. Female beetles enter the tree where they bore galleries in the phloem to lay eggs. Soon after initial attack, females emit an aggregation pheromone (frontalin), which attracts males and more females to the tree. The eggs then hatch and larvae feed on the phloem.

Identification

The Ips beetles have a scooped out and spine rearward end of the abdomen. The black turpentine beetle and southern pine beetle have a rounded abdomen. The black turpentine beetle is about 1/4 inch long. The southern pine beetle is about 1/8 inch long.

Symptoms

The black turpentine beetle attacks the lower part of a tree from ground level up to 8 or 10 feet. The pitch tubes are an inch or more in diameter and often appear purplish. Southern pine beetle and Ips beetle attacks the upper part of the tree. These pitch tubes resemble popped popcorn in color and shape. Gallery patterns also vary between beetles. The egg galleries of the Ips beetle are "Y" to "H" shapes while the southern pine beetle has "S" shaped galleries. Control: Systemic insecticides may be applied. Keep trees healthy and stress free by promoting vigor, preventing construction damage,and growing trees on good sites.