Are your trees susceptible to Ips beetles?

Ips pini, or the engraver beetles, are insects that develop in pines and spruces. Ips are everywhere in the United States. They are attracted to pines and spruces under stress from drought, root injury, disease or defoliation. 

 These insects are not necessarily lethal to the pines and spruces. Attacks can be limited to the tops of trees and large branches. However, Ips can show a uniform needle discoloration and death like the Dendroctonous bark beetles with the blue stain fungi. This can happen but not always.

 The adults of this insect are about 1/8-1/4 inch long. They are reddish brown to black. Their rear end is lined with three to six pairs of toothlike spines. The males cut a cavity under the bark that attracts females. The females produce egg galleries in a Y or H pattern. As they create these galleries, they push the sawdust out. So, if you inspect your pines and spruces periodically, look for sawdust at the base of trees or in bark crevices.

 How to prevent Ips beetles? You can prevent them by using practices that promote healthy tree growth. Naturally, that becomes more challenging in a drought. It is especially challenging when you have many windbreaks with pines and spruces. 

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