Pine Beetles
Southern Pine Beetle
Destructible Insects
The Southern Pine Beetle is one of the most destructible insects in the South; it can cause major damage each year. A large number of trees can be infected in a short amount of time and, once infected, there is no effective way to save the trees.
The Bark Beetle is known for its ability to bore into the tree and then lay eggs and reproduce. Some of these species attack and kill trees. The female adult beetle bores holes into the tree’s bark and begins constructing a gallery.
Infected Trees - Bark Beetle
Once the female starts building her gallery, she produces an odor that will attract male and other female beetles to the tree to mate. This type of attack on the tree usually leaves it in a weakened state, and its defense mechanism cannot handle the attack.
During this process, the beetle will mate and the females will lay their eggs. The females continue to make their S curve gallery in order to create room for the rest of the beetles to lay all of their eggs.
Destruction Caused by Pine Beetles
Once the eggs are hatched, the beetles will feed and make their own gallery, where they will lay their eggs. The larvae tunnel toward the outer bark and enter the pupae stage. When immature adults emerge from the pupae stage, their bodies become darker and harder. Finally the beetles create an escape route and tunnel through the outer bark, only to fly to another tree and start the whole process again.
