Pine bark adelgid
Pineus strobi (Hartig) (Hemiptera Adelgidae)
Orientation to pest
Pine bark adelgid, Pineus strobi (Hartig), populations are at times dense and strikingly visible; however, this native adelgid is generally only a minor pest of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.). Even dense populations do little harm if the tree is otherwise healthy. In plantations and on Christmas trees, pine bark adelgid infestations may reduce growth and induce excessive branching, reducing the value of Christmas trees. The species may have up to five generations per year.
Hosts commonly attacked
The host of this species is eastern white pine (P. strobus).
Distribution
This adelgid is found widely in North America throughout the range of eastern white pine.
Images of the pine bark adelgid
| Figure 1. An infestation of pine bark adelgid, Pineus strobi, on the trunk of eastern white pine | Figure 2. Closer view of pine trunk infested with pine bark adelgid | Figure 3. Pine bark adelgids infesting pine branch |
| Figure 4. Excess bud formation from pine bark adelgid feeding can cause shoot proliferation in tree top. Note also the lady beetle feeding on the adelgids | Figure 5. Laricobius rubidus (Coleop.: Derodontidae) is an important predator of pine bark adelgid in the eastern United States |
Important biological control agents related to this pest species
Because damage from this species is generally not important in North America, natural enemies of this species have not been well studied. However, some predators of this adelgid, have been noted in the eastern United States, including the derodontid beetle Laricobius rubidus LeConte and chamaemyiid fly Leucopis pinicola Mall.
Web links for information on the pine bark adelgid
Articles
- Sluss, T. P. and B. A. Foote. 1973. Biology and immature stages of Leucopis pinicola and Chamaemyia polystigma (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae). The Canadian Entomologist 105: 1443-1452.
