Pityophthorus orarius (Scolytidae)

the Douglas-fir twig mining beetle

Adults:

Adults are 3 mm long, bronze/brownish colour. They bore into current year shoots.

Larvae:

4 mm long when mature, cream coloured, legless, curled grubs.

Damage:

Generally unimportant but can cause severe damage and stunting to Douglas-fir, particularly in plantation or Christmas tree areas. Damage is caused primarily by the feeding of the larvae beneath the bark at the tips of branches.

Principal Hosts:

Douglas-fir.

Economic Importance:

Minor, of importance in Christmas trees, seed orchards (see Lab 2), and on ornamental trees.

References and Links:

FC: 402.

See JP17.

Additional Images: