Mediterranean pine engraver beetle
(Orthotomicus erosus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Overview
Native to Europe, Middle East, northern Africa, and China and has been introduced to southern Africa, South America, and North America. It was found established in California in 2004. It is associated with wood packaging. It is a threat to a number of pines, including eastern white, short leaf, and slash.
Eggs
Females lay 26-75 eggs in galleries beneath the host bark. Eggs are smooth, ovoid, 1 mm long, white and translucent.
Larvae
Larvae are 1/8 in (0.3 cm) long, legless, and white to cream colored. Head capsule is hardened and amber with dark, well-developed mouthparts.
Adults
Approximately 3/16 in (0.5 cm) long and reddish brown. They have four pairs of spines on their hind end, which is sloped and slightly curved inwards. Exit holes are 1/16 in (0.1 cm) wide and overwintering adults emerge in late winter and fly until late autumn.
More Info
In California, they can overwinter as larvae, pupae, and adults beneath the bark. Number of generations per year in North America is unknown. They are a threat to natural forests and pine plantations. Evidence of infestation includes leaves turning yellow or brown, reddish-brown boring dust, galleries under the bark, and pitch tubes.
Native to Europe, Middle East, northern Africa, and China and has been introduced to southern Africa, South America, and North America. It was found established in California in 2004. It is associated with wood packaging. It is a threat to a number of pines, including eastern white, short leaf, and slash.
Eggs
Females lay 26-75 eggs in galleries beneath the host bark. Eggs are smooth, ovoid, 1 mm long, white and translucent.
Larvae
Larvae are 1/8 in (0.3 cm) long, legless, and white to cream colored. Head capsule is hardened and amber with dark, well-developed mouthparts.
Adults
Approximately 3/16 in (0.5 cm) long and reddish brown. They have four pairs of spines on their hind end, which is sloped and slightly curved inwards. Exit holes are 1/16 in (0.1 cm) wide and overwintering adults emerge in late winter and fly until late autumn.
More Info
In California, they can overwinter as larvae, pupae, and adults beneath the bark. Number of generations per year in North America is unknown. They are a threat to natural forests and pine plantations. Evidence of infestation includes leaves turning yellow or brown, reddish-brown boring dust, galleries under the bark, and pitch tubes.
Resources
- Screening Aids for Exotic Bark Beetles in the Northeastern United States - USDA Forest Service
- Exotic Forest Pest Information System For North America - North American Forest Commission
Selected Images
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: Hexapoda |
| Class: Insecta |
| Subclass: Pterygota |
| Infraclass: Neoptera |
| Order: Coleoptera |
| Suborder: Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: Cucujiformia |
| Superfamily: Curculionoidea |
| Family: Curculionidae |
| Subfamily: Scolytinae |
| Tribe: Ipini |
| Genus: Orthotomicus |
| Orthotomicus erosus |
Other System Links
NPDN Pest: INBQQEA
References
Common Name Reference: Encyclopedia of Life. Available from http://www.eol.org.
Scientific Name Reference: Die Kafer Mitteleruopas Katalog, by Wilhelm H. Lucht, 1987, Goeke & Evers Verlag, Krefeld, 342 pp.