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Mountain Pine Beetle |
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(Dendroctonus ponderosae) |
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| Mountain Pine Beetle Mortality |
| DNRC |
Host: Most native and introduced species of pine trees, including lodgepole,
ponderosa, whitebark, limber, and white pines.
Distribution: Throughout range of pines with most notable outbreak currently in the Butte area.
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| Pitch Tubes on Lodgepole Pine |
| DNRC |
Identification: Reddish-orange masses of pitch (resin mixed with wood particle) on main bole; distinctive galleries apparent under bark layer with a "J" at the base; crown fading within one year of attack.
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| Blue Stain in Whitebark Pine |
| DNRC |
Damage: Beetles feed in phloem and introduce blue-staining fungi which in combination, girdle the tree.
Ecology: Bark beetles must mass attack in order to overcome a tree's natural defense mechanisms. They communicate via chemical messages, called pheromones, and can recruit other beetles by emitting a specific aggregation pheromone. As the tree becomes too full to sustain offspring, they switch to an anti-aggregation pheromone, essentially sending a "no vacancy" message to other beetles.
Life Cycle: Adult beetles emerge from trees and fly between June and August, although weather and location may affect exact timing. Adults attack trees by boring under the bark and excavating a vertical gallery up to 30 inches long, laying eggs along the margins. Eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the phloem and disrupt the water and nutrient transport system of the tree. Larvae feed until cold winter temperatures initiate dormancy. Mountain pine beetles overwinter under the bark predominantly as larvae. Mountain pine beetles generally complete one gerenation per year in Montana.
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| Pitch Tube |
| DNRC |
Management
Silvicultural manipulations: Pine trees respond to mountain pine beetle by “pitching out” with pressurized resin. Therefore, thinning stands to reduce competition for light, nutrients, and water will enhance the vigor of residual trees and consequently promote resilience to beetle activity. Diversifying age classes and including tree species that do not host mountain pine beetle (such as western larch) will also minimize stand-level tree mortality.
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| Mountain Pine Beetle Galleries |
| DNRC |
Brood trees: Identifying and removing trees currently infested with mountain pine beetle offspring can directly reduce populations in the stand. Accurate identification is critical for this tactic to be successful. Infested trees will commonly have an apparently healthy, green crown. Closer inspection might reveal pitch tubes on the bole, although these diagnostic structures are not always evident, especially in dry conditions. Pealing back the bark will expose galleries. Look for larvae, pupae, or adults under the bark to determine current infestation. Brood trees must be removed from the stand as immature beetles can successfully continue development in a cut tree.
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| Mountain Pine Beetle Galleries with Distinctive J Hook |
| DNRC |
Log decks: Mountain pine beetle will continue to develop in trees even after they are cut. Therefore, it is critical to remove infested logs from the site well before the next beetle flight period (June through August) in order to inhibit dispersal.
Preventative Sprays : Protective chemicals are available to spray on the main bole of the tree that effectively deter mountain pine beetle infestation. For more information on the available spray click here.
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| Verbenone on Ponderosa Pine |
| DNRC |
Pheromones: Mountain pine beetle must mass attack in order to overcome a tree’s natural defense mechanisms. They communicate via chemical messages, called pheromones, and can recruit other beetles by emitting a specific aggregation pheromone that solicits other beetles to attack the same tree. As the tree becomes too full to sustain additional offspring, they switch to an anti-aggregation pheromone, essentially sending a “no vacancy” message to other beetles. Researchers and manufacturers have successfully manipulated the anti-aggregation chemical, verbenone, that acts as a naturally occurring repellant and can be used to treat small-scale acreages prone to mountain pine beetle activity. Additional information can be requested from the manufacturers of this product. As of June 2009, there are two companies distributing verbenone capsules to the United States:
| Contech, Inc. | Synergy Semiochemical Corp. |
| 7572 Progress Way | Box 50008, South Slope RPO |
| Delta, B. C. Canada V4G 1E9 | Burnaby, B. C. Canada V5J 5G3 |
| Phone: 604-940-9944 | Phone: 604-454-1122 |
| http://www.pherotech.com | http://www.semiochemical.com |
Verbonone can also be purchased from various retailers throughout the state.
Please refer to Contech's list
of applicators and retailers, keeping in
mind this may not be a current or comprehensive directory. MT Pesticide
Act and Administrative Rules of MT require that a person selling or charging
to apply have a valid pesticide applicator/dealer license. (If you
are interested in applying for an applicator or dealer license, please
contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at 444-5400.) Homeowners
and landowners applying verbenone on their own property do not need a
license.
The DNRC Forest Pest Management Program does not distribute phermones.
Links |
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| Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet (FIDL) | Field Guide - Identification | Management Guide | ||
Additional Common Forest Insects in Montana
| Douglas-fir Beetle | Red Turpentine Beetle |
| Douglas-fir Tussock Moth |
Spruce Beetle |
| Fir Engraver | Western Pine Beetle |
| Mountain Pine Beetle | Western Spruce Budworm |
| Engraver Beetles (Ips species) |
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