Pine Shoot Beetle
Tomincus piniperda


For More Information on Pine Shoot Beetle:
Purdue University

Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology

Status in Nebraska:
 The pine shoot beetle is not found in Nebraska.

Distribution:

This insect is found in the northeastern United States and is moving south and west.

Origin and Time of Introduction:

The pine shoot beetle was probably introduced in ship dunnage (the rough-sawn lumber used to brace and stabilize cargo on large ocean vessels) from Europe and Asia.  It was first discovered in Ohio in July of 1992.

Common Characteristics:

Adults are cylindrical in shape and are from 3-5 mm in length.  The head and thorax are a shiny black and the wing covers are a reddish-brown to black in color.

Environmental Impact:

Pine (Pinus spp.) is the major host tree, with spruce, fir and larch distant seconds.  Adults eat the new shoots by boring into them and can reduce tree height and diameter growth.

Management: 

The pine shoot beetle breeds in recently dead or dying pines.  Manage them through removal and chipping, burning or burial.