Skip to main content

Southern Pine Bark Beetle

Southern Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), along with several other bark beetles (black turpentine beetle and three Ips engraver beetles), are known to attack and kill southern yellow pines during periods of environmental stress. These beetles bore into the cambium in large numbers, and disrupt nutrient and water movement, thus killing the tree. Several of these species also introduce a fungus, known as blue stain, which aid in killing a tree by clogging its vascular systems.

Pine bark beetle outbreaks are being fueled by drought conditions and other environmental stress factors such as wildfires and storms throughout the southeastern United States. The Southern Pine Beetle originated in the southeastern United States, but has now migrated as far north as Massachusetts.

Download Pest Sheet

Common Symptoms

The southern pine beetle (SPB) will attack healthy pines, but the other bark beetles more often colonize severe stressed trees. Individually attacked trees may look faded or have mixed tan and green needles progressing to red, followed by tree death over several weeks. SPB will create cream to red colored, dime-sized pitch tubes on the lower bole (6 feet and higher) of the tree. The black turpentine beetle create large (1-2 in diameter) pitch tube on the trunk from 3 feet height to the ground.  Attacks by Ips engravers can occur from the ground to small branches in the upper crown and usually produce granular boring dust that accumulate in bark cracks and spider webs. Most of these beetles carry a fungus that serves as a food base for young larvae. The introduced fungus severely inhibited water transport and hastens tree mortality.

Treatments

A trunk injection of TREE-äge® G4 or TREE-age R10 will provide up to two years of protection against bark beetle attack. Preventative treatment is best, as trees with existing beetle infestations are less likely to survive. In areas where beetles carry the blue stain fungus, it is recommended that Propizol® systemic fungicide be added as a sequential treatment to eliminate additional stress from the fungus.

References And Photo Credits

Southern pine bark beetles taken by John L. Foltz, University of Florida, www.bugwood.com

Southern pine beetle pitch tubes taken by Tim Tigner, Virginia Department of Forestry, Bugwood.org

Black turpentine beetle pitch tubes taken by Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Ips engraver beetle killed pine taken by Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bugwood.org


Preferred Products

Latest Blog Post

How to Treat for Leaf Diseases in Trees

Trees begin to develop leaves in spring, which means it’s time to plan for leaf disease issues you may encounter […]

Upcoming Events

CPRS
March 18 - 21, 2025

California Parks & Recreation Society Conference & Expo 2025
March 18 - 21, 2025

ArborExpo
March 27 - 28, 2025

ArborFest Expo (Sherrill Tree)
April 3 - 5, 2025

All Events >>

catalog

Request A Catalog

Sustainable Products
with People & Planet in Mind

Arborjet | Ecologel is dedicated to providing the plant health care industry with innovative technologies that help maintain exceptional quality landscapes, turf, trees, and agriculture, while promoting the responsible management of natural resources.

Landscape

Tools and formulas for landscape professionals.

Turf

Products to improve golf, sports turf, and lawns.

Tree

Products developed for arborists, by arborists.

Grower

Solutions from rooting to plant protection.

Our Commitment
to Customers

We are committed to providing quality products and services to exceed our customers’ expectations. To achieve this, we’ve documented a quality management system to meet the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015.

Maintaining quality standards is key to our success and reputation at Arborjet | Ecologel

quote icon

The local area representative and the whole Arborjet team is always there when we need it, and have shown us a high level of expertise for all things trees. Great partner!

Vincent Debrock

MASTER ARBORIST
HERITAGE TREE CARE, OWNER

© 2000-2025 Arborjet | Ecologel. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy