Southern pine bark beetles cause more damage
to southern pine timber than any other
forest insect in Alabama. On average, the
state loses 60,000 pine trees a year during
a southern pine bark beetle outbreak that
totals approximately $800,000 in economic
loss. Of course, during an epidemic episode,
the amount of economic and timber loss is
greatly increased.
Southern pine bark beetles generally attack
less vigorous or stressed pines, especially
ones weakened by a continual drought, storm
damage, strong winds, severe fires, old age,
prevailing diseases, tree competition, and
other insect infestations. Most southern
pine species, if not all are vulnerable, but
depending on the particular beetle, some
pines are more susceptible than others.
With three groups of southern pine bark
beetles in the southeast reeking havoc on
pine trees; each one has its own
distinguishable features and
characteristics. The three groups of
southern pine bark beetles are the
southern
pine beetle (SPB), the
Ips engraver beetle
(IEB), and the
black turpentine beetle
(BTB). Each beetle will initiate an attack
based on specific causes and each will
basically attack a different area of the
tree. Even its rate of spread to the next
pine is scantly different based on the
beetle species.
Of the three, the SPB is the most aggressive
and more likely to attack healthy pines. The
IEB and the BTB tend to only attack
weakened, stressed, or damaged trees. The
IEB and BTB, however, have a slightly
greater host list than the SPB. The SPB
generally does not attack slash or longleaf
pines unless these pine species are
extremely stressed.
Management recommendations and control
methods for these southern pine bark beetles
are also quite specific depending on the
particular beetle. The bark beetle species
must be positively identified before
implementing a control strategy. One
constant prevention method that applies for
all southern pine bark beetles is to
maintain healthy, vigorous trees. In all,
healthy, vigorous pines are the most
successful management strategy for
preventing bark beetle attack.
Additional Resources:
A
Field Guide to Identifying the Most Common
Forest Pest of Pine Plantations
Current Southern Pine Beetle Advisory
and Flight Data
http://www.bugwood.org/index.cfm
http://www.forestryimages.org/