How to Identify Pests That Harm Pine Trees
Pine trees are in abundance in many areas of the country but if the become infested with pests, they can decline and even die. If you suspect you have pests harming your pine trees, read on to identify them. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pine bark beetles are known to cause mass destruction to pine trees. Look for red to brown colored beetles that are about a 1/2 inch long. They can fly and prefer live pines to those that may have been cut or have fallen. Unhealthy trees that are producing an excess of sap are particularly susceptible to pine bark beetles.
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Pine needle scale is a white scale that you will see covering the needles. It is an oval shape and causes the pine needles to yellow. Pine needle scale has a wax covering and is 1/16 to 1/8 inch long.
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Pine sawfly are mostly attracted to mugo and table top pines. They can also be found in Scotch, Japanese, red and Jack pine trees. These sawflies can strip the tress off their needles, but the pine can survive the attack. You can find the larvae of the pine sawfly from April through June and the adults in August. They are a green caterpillar with stripes on their backs.
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Southern pine beetles generally follow engraver and black turpentine beetles. The latter two render the pine tree susceptible to the southern pine beetle. These beetles can wipe out massive areas of pine trees-up to several hundred acres. You'll notice that the pine tree's needles begin to yellow, then turn red, then turn brown. You may also see < to = inch yellow or white patches of resin where the beetle has entered the tree. Most of the beetles will be in the bark, so you have to rely on their telltale signs.
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Spruce spider mites will attack and feed on over 40 species of pine trees. The pests range in color from green to brown to red. If you look at the pine needles, you'll see small white flecks and spots. The needles may turn yellow and then brown. Afterwards, they can fall off the tree. You'll find the most activity from these pests in early spring and late fall because they prefer cool weather.
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