Getting to know the Enemy: Southern Pine Beetle

By Steven Jorgensenn



The needles on your pine trees have steadily changed from green to yellow. Then from yellowish to red and finally they've turned brown. It may be fall, but you know that is not regular.

The most likely culprit for the transformation of your pine trees is the Southern Pine Beetle. It accounts for as much pine destruction as any other pest or insect inside the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. Below are some facts to know that may help you become acquainted with the Southern Pine Beetle.

* The beetle's impact can stretch from Pennsylvania to Texas and from Arizona and Texas to Honduras. Usually, outbreaks are confined to these areas. Even though it can attack all kinds of pine trees, the usual victims are loblolly, short leaf, Virginia, pond, and pitch pines. If those are grown inside your area, you need to keep a far more watchful eye.

* The impact of the beetle may be incredibly evident. The typical annual tree mortality might exceed the equivalent of 100 million board feet of saw timber. To put that in perspective, an outbreak of the Southern Pine Beetle between 1973 and 1977 killed the equivalent of 4.5 billion board feet of timber.

* You will discover other indicators of a beetle infestation, other than the discoloring of pine needles. You'll see the tree dripping resin from the point of attack on your tree. That forms a little pitch tube the size of a piece of popcorn. Adult beetles will form rotating, S-shaped galleries that cut across one another. The shape of the galleries is what differentiates the Southern Pine Beetle from other pests inside the south.

* Extreme temperatures control beetle populations. When temperatures fall below 0 degrees or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit for days at a time, beetles die in significant margins. This is really a main factor in break out change from year to year.

* Particular pesticides, like lindane or chlorpyrifo, can help protect trees from beetle attacks. It is used on the trunk of the tree until it's completely wet. Depending on the area, other techniques for suppressing beetles consist of the rapid salvage and utilization of infested trees or the piling and burning of infested materials.

From your yard to parks and national forests, the impact that the Southern Pine Beetle can have on our pine trees is vast. With these facts, you are able to spot and prevent further infestation.







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Atlanta tree service are specialize in tree removal, tree trimming, and storm damage response. Outside trees and plants need to be monitored and managed throughout the year. Atlanta tree servicel uses only the best arboricultural procedures to keep your plants and trees looking their best. They are specialized for your year-round tree and plant wants.