All Climate Events

Wednesday, May 6, 2020. 1:00PM. Webinar: Southern pine beetle: Biology, monitoring and management. John Nowak, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Sponsored by Southern Regional Extension Forestry. More information here. 

The southern pine beetle (SPB, Dendroctonus frontalis) is considered one of the most important causes of economic loss in forestry in the southeastern U.S. This bark beetle native to the forests of southern U.S., Mexico and Central America, and infests all species of pines indigenous to the South. Shortleaf and loblolly pines are most susceptible, while slash and longleaf pines are generally considered to be more resistant to attack. The southern pine beetle has a hard reddish brown to black exoskeleton and measures approximately 3 mm (0.12 in), about the size of a grain of rice. Adults bore through the bark and lay eggs in their excavated galleries, with multiple generations per year. Often the first noticeable indication of SPB attack is foliage discoloration. The earliest signs of possible SPB-attack is the presence of brownish-orange boring dust and tiny white pitch pellets accumulating at the base of the tree, in bark crevices, in nearby spider webs, and on understory foliage. Infestation prevention can be achieved by keeping trees healthy and vigorous, removing damaged trees and through preventative bark treatments.