www.southernpinebeetle.nj.gov

• Active for decades in Southeastern U.S.

• Reported insect problem in New Jersey in 2001

• Confirmed by NJFS & USFS

(Dendroctonus frontalis)

History of SPB

Egg Harbor River

NJ SPB Movement | 2002-2010

NJ SPB Movement | 2002-2010

NJ SPB Movement | 2002-2010

MullicaRiver

NJ Forest Service 2010

2001-2011 | SPB Infested Acres in NJ

2011 NJ SPB Infestations

• 852 Infestations• 6,789 Acres• <1/2 infestations DEP• >1/2 infestations private

non-DEP

2011 SPB Infestation

2002-2010 SPB Infestations

Current CFMP Community Forestry Management Plan

2006-2020from U.S. Forest Service

NJ SPB Mortality Projections> 25% tree mortality

15-25% tree mortality

5-15% tree mortalityMortality potential without intervention

2011 | SPB Rapidly Expands

SPB Impact | Quick tree loss

• Trees may show signs within days of attack

• Pines die as quickly as 3-4 weeks after initial attack

Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org

SPB Impact | Canopy Loss• Changes forest type

• Decreases wildlife habitat

• Reduces recreation and aesthetic quality

• Increases stream temperatures and sediment buildup

Pine w

arbler

Ollie Knott,Georgia Forestry Commission,Bugwood.org

SPB Impact | Hazard Trees

•Dead pines are highly susceptible to rot fungi

•Branches and tops readily break

•Poses a danger to people and property

SPB Impact | Wildfire Risk

•Dead trees are standing fuel

•Falling needles increase ladder fuels

•Forest floor dries faster without canopy cover

Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

SPB Impact | Blue Stain Fungi• Beetles transmit fungus

• Fungus establishes in days

• Wood’s value decreases

Erich Vallery, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

SPB Lifecycle• 4-6 weeks to mature

• Multiple generations per year in the same area

• Larval stage feeds on tree’s inner bark

• Galleries girdle tree

Richard Kliefoth, Boyce Thompson Institute

SPB Signs | Stage 3 - Vacated

Exit HolesRed crown or no foliage

Clerid larvae or pupae

Loose bark, blue stain

Ambrosia beetle dust

Erich G. Vallery Ron Billings G. Keith DouceState Forestry Services State Forestry Services

SPB Signs | Stage 2 – Brood Trees

Green crowns fade to yellow

Hardened pitch tubes

Galleries with larvae or pupaeNew adults

Erich G. ValleryGerald J. Lenhard

Louisiana State University Erich G. Vallery Erich G. Vallery

SPB Signs | Stage 1 – Fresh attacks

Fresh pitch tubes

Adult clerids on bark Green crownBoring dust in

bark crevicesErich G. Vallery Erich G. Vallery Ron BillingsCleridae, Wikipedia

SPB Look-alikesSmall southern pine engraver Ips avulsus

Fivespined engraver Ips grandicollis

Sixspined engraverIps calligraphus

Southern pine beetleDendroctonus frontalis

Black turpentine beetleDendroctonus terebrans

2 to 3 mm

3 to 4 mm

4 to 5 mm

3 to 4 mm

6 to 8 mmGerald J. Lenhard, Louiana State Univ, Bugwood.org

SPB Look-alikes | Black turpentine beetle

Black Turpentine

Beetle

Southern Pine Beetle

North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, Bugwood.org

SPB Look-alikes | Engraver Ips beetles

Ips avulsus 2.3 – 2.8 mm

Ips grandicollis 3.5 to 6.5 mm

Ips calligraphus 2.8 to 4.7 mm

Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Jeffrey Eickwort, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org

Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

SPB Look-alikesEngraver Ips Beetles• I, Y, or H shaped galleries • Found in the top half of the tree• Rear of beetle has spines and a “scooped” appearance

Black Turpentine Beetle• Rear of the beetle is rounded• Found in the lowest 18 inches

Southern Pine Beetle• Rear of the beetle is rounded• Found throughout the tree

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

SPB Spot Growth

SPB Triangle for Spot Growth

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

Expanding SPB Infestation

• Generally expands in one direction• May fly and start new hotspot in adjacent forest

Effects of SPB Spot Disruption

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

Cut-and-Leave Suppression

• Disorients beetles and disrupts population growth• Found successful in prior suppression efforts

across the US and Central America

Cut-and-Salvage Suppression

• Decreases fire hazard• Disrupts all life stages• Preferred method

Successful Suppression | Winslow WMA

NJFS | SPB Monitoring• Monitors SPB and clerid

populations

• 18 Traps

• Baited with pheromones and turpentine

• Contents sent to US Forest Service

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

NJFS | Managing DEP Lands• Survey - aerial flights

• Map data and determine ownership

• Verify state lands spots on ground

• Mark area for cutting

• Cut within a week

• Monitor after treatment via air and ground

NJFS | Managing Other Lands• NJFS communicates with

Municipal liaison

• Municipality notifies private landowners

• Municipal grants available for management and restoration

Ollie Knott, Georgia Forestry Commission, Bugwood.org

Detect SPB

DEP Property

Determine Property Ownership

Prioritize Ground Truthing

Non-DEP Property

Confirm SPB

Municipal Notification

Ground Truth and Flag Suppression

Area

Perform Suppression Action

Monitor and Report

Large Infestation

Consulting Forester

CTE or Arborist

Small Infestation

Encourage Suppression

Other State Agency Notification

Confirm SPB

Perform Suppression Action

Monitor and Report Monitor and Report

Ground Truth and Flag Suppression

Area

NJFS | SPB Process

Landowners | Protect Individual Trees

• Safeguard high-value trees

• Treat trees with spray or injection

• Protect a tree for 3 months to 2 years depending on treatment

• Contact a licensed pesticide applicator

*Only effective prior to an attackEmamectin benzoate

(TREE-age)Arborjet

Landowners | SPB AssistanceSouthern Pine Beetle Cost-share for those participating in:•Farmland Assessment Program •Forest Stewardship Program

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service•Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Funded by a grant from the US Forest Service

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Southern Pine Beetle Case StudyProposed: Indian Mounds Wilderness•12,369 acres•Easternmost point of Texas•Borders Louisiana

SPB allowed to follow natural course due to restrictions on forest management

July 1992, Texas | Indian Mounds Wilderness

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

Feb 1993, Texas | Indian Mounds Wilderness

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

June 1993, Texas | Indian Mounds Wilderness

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

Aug 1993, Texas | Indian Mounds Wilderness

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service

SPB in Texas | Indian Mounds Wilderness

To date, SPB impacted 68% of Indian Mounds Wilderness Area

What you can doto minimize SPB impact

•Recognize telltale SPB signs

•Act quickly before SPB spreads

•Perform suppression

•Salvage and sell or utilize

•Restore

•Treat high value trees

•Thin your forest

2/3 of New Jersey forests are privately owned

What you can doContact a forestry professional

Certified Tree Expert

ISA Certified Arborist

Approved Consulting Forester

Or your local:• Shade tree commission

• Environmental commission

• Garden club

• Master gardeners

• County Extension ServicesRonald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org

www.southernpinebeetle.nj.govFor updates visit: