Summer brings not only the heat but also swarms of insects that know how to ruin a lazy day on the lake and your trees. In this blog, you’ll learn how to recognize the differences between Mountain Pine Beetles and Ips Beetles and how ArborScape can help you manage them.
Mountain Pine Beetles
Mountain pine beetles and Ips beetles look very similar in appearance; ranging in color from reddish brown to black, and spanning from ⅛ of an inch to ⅜ of an inch long. They may be small but can do a lot of damage.
While both species enjoy infesting many trees, mountain pines are especially attracted to pine trees. These beetles are native Colorado insect that likes to lay eggs beneath tree bark, especially pine trees.
When the larvae hatch, they eat through the bark and begin to introduce a blue fungus into the sapwood. This fungus prevents the tree from absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, leaving it in a stressed state and therefore vulnerable to other insects and diseases.
If you keep a close watch on the leaves and trunk of the tree, you’ll be able to recognize the symptoms these types of beetles leave behind.
The needles of infected pines will turn a rusty color after they’ve been a bit yellow for some time, and will eventually fall during the second season of infestation (don’t mistake this for natural needle drop).
You might want to note that, Similar to the Ips beetle, this pest leaves boring dust in bark crevices. However, because of the fungus they release, you’ll find that popcorn-shaped masses of resin will start to form on the tree trunk where the tunneling begins.
Ips Beetles
Ips beetles do things a little differently than mountain pine beetles. These pests, also known as “pine engravers” or “bark beetles,” feed on the phloem of trees.
With 11 different types of Ips beetle species in Colorado, these insects have been a huge issue due to our dry and arid climate, which makes our trees more prone to drought stress. These beetles love to get cozy in pine or spruce trees. They even prefer to mate in recently cut logs and wooden debris.
You have to be especially careful with this beetle because they can kill a tree in a single season by “engraving” a pathway gallery under the bark.
As we mentioned, similar to the mountain pine beetle, these insects leave boring dust in crevices or around the base of the tree.
However, you’ll also start to notice that affected parts of the tree will become discolored, and there will be small round holes where the beetles enter or exit the trunk. Even the presence of woodpeckers can indicate an infestation, as these birds are natural predators to these beetles and will be more attracted to the tree than usual.
Now is the best time to watch out for these pests, as they tend to fly around seeking new hosts of trees in July and August. This means it’s also the best time to get on our treatment plan to manage any potential issues.
Luckily, we can use the same type of treatment for both Ips and mountain pine beetles. Our technicians spray your trees with a mixture of Tengard and water to protect and manage them from these pests.
If you’re worried about your pines or any other trees, don’t hesitate to call us at (303) 806-8733. Our arborists will visit your property for a free consultation to determine what issues your trees may have and the best treatment method.
If you’re interested in learning about other insects, check out our blog.
