Title: Common Pine Shoot Beetle

Author: Haack, Robert A.; Kucera, Daniel; Passoa, Steven

Year: 1993

Publication: Pest Alert NA-PR-01-93. [Radnor, PA:] U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Area State & Private Forestry

Abstract: The common (or larger) pine shoot beetle, Tomicus (=Blastophagus) piniperda (L.), was discovered near Cleveland, Ohio in July 1992. As of this writing, it is now in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Adults of the common pine shoot beetle are cylindrical and range from 3 to 5 mm in length (about the size of a match head). Their head and thorax are shiny black while the wing covers are reddish-brown to black. Eggs are 1 mm long, oval, smooth, and shiny white. Larvae are legless, slightly curved, have a white body and brown head, and can reach 1/4 inch (5 mm) in length when fully grown.