Pine beetle larvae, how to remove - Ask Extension
I have a small (about 3' tall) Chief Joseph Pine that had clumps of orange-ish pink "stuff" in several junctions of branches and about 2" above the gr...
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Pine beetle larvae, how to remove #623715
Asked April 13, 2020, 2:53 PM EDT
I have a small (about 3' tall) Chief Joseph Pine that had clumps of orange-ish pink "stuff" in several junctions of branches and about 2" above the ground on the main trunk. The people at Portland Nursery told me that it was pine beetle larvae, but only suggested using a systemic. A neighbor, who appears to be knowledgeable, took steel wool and removed what was visible and then filled the holes with sealer paint. Today, I poked around and found clumps that had gone deeper, below the bark. I removed them, but now there are gaping sores.
I checked 4 other pine trees (not Chief Josephs) in my immediate neighborhood and found much larger clumps of larvae on all of them. What can I do to save my wonderful little tree that I have nurtured and shaped for nearly 10 years, and what can we do as a neighborhood to get rid of the infestation? If you want photos, I can send them.
Thank you very much,
Mary Dickson
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Mary. We will need clear, closeup photos of the "clumps." And, while we're researching, please do not rub off the bark or paint over the wound. It opens the plant to other diseases, traps bacteria underneath the paint, and does not allow the plant to heal naturally. Looking for more information!
Thank you for your prompt response, Kristena!
I have already removed the clumps from my Chief Joseph pine, but I'll take photos of what is left. One branch is severely weakened.
I'll also take photos of the tree across the street which shows what was on my tree yesterday. Stay tuned!
Mary
I have already removed the clumps from my Chief Joseph pine, but I'll take photos of what is left. One branch is severely weakened.
I'll also take photos of the tree across the street which shows what was on my tree yesterday. Stay tuned!
Mary
Will do!
This was 2 days ago. I have since removed the squishy clumps and discovered live larvae.
This was 2 days ago. I have since removed the squishy clumps and discovered live larvae.
Mary: I don't see any larvae. Do you have photos of them? Thanks!
Oops, didn't mean to send that twice.
Today's photos. The last is what practically fell off when I touched the area that is shown in the first and second photos.
I'll take photos of my neighbor's tree next.
Today's photos. The last is what practically fell off when I touched the area that is shown in the first and second photos.
I'll take photos of my neighbor's tree next.
This is my neighbor across the street. There are several clumps like this. They are worse on his neighbor's tree.
This is what Portland Nursery suggested that I use as a systemic. I used some yesterday, so, of course, I haven't seen any results yet.
Mary: I don’t believe this is an insect infestation. It appears to be either rust (A fungus) or galls, both of which are found on cedars. Please do not apply anything else until I can get some feedback from our OSU Plant Clinic/pathogen diagnosis lab. Thanks for your patience.
Here's a live larva, photo taken at 8:02 this morning.
Mary
Mary
Here's the one from the previous photo. It was about 3/4 inch long. This is the only one I saw in any of the 3 area of damage. It was near the top of a branch. Should I cut that branch off?
Thanks, I really want to save this tree!
Mary
Thanks, I really want to save this tree!
Mary
Hi, this is likely the sequoia pitch moth, Synanthedon sequoiae
A clear wing moth.
Here are some websites
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7479.html
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187550.pdf
https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/ForestBenefits/SPM_2017.pdf
the moth has a 2 year life cycle and if you see a little hole in hardened pitch, the insect is gone. You did the management recommendation by digging out the caterpillar We generally don't worry too much about this, unless you have a grove of pine you are pruning. Then you should avoid pruning in spring/summer.
A clear wing moth.
Here are some websites
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7479.html
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187550.pdf
https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/ForestBenefits/SPM_2017.pdf
the moth has a 2 year life cycle and if you see a little hole in hardened pitch, the insect is gone. You did the management recommendation by digging out the caterpillar We generally don't worry too much about this, unless you have a grove of pine you are pruning. Then you should avoid pruning in spring/summer.
David, thanks so much. This gives me hope that I won't lose my little Chief Joseph. It sounds like I should just hope, and remove any additional larvae, correct? Do I need to protect the large open sores in any way?
Thanks, Mary
Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary,
Yes, I would just monitor it and excavate the pitch off and dig caterpillars out if you think they are still there. The moths are known to re-attack the same locations, so good to keep a check on it once in a while. The moths are around in late spring/summer.
Yes, I would just monitor it and excavate the pitch off and dig caterpillars out if you think they are still there. The moths are known to re-attack the same locations, so good to keep a check on it once in a while. The moths are around in late spring/summer.
