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Polygraphus poligraphus

Small spruce bark beetle

Description

This pest attacks primarily juvenile or mid-aged spruces with thinner bark (trunk thickness of ca. 20 cm). The stems  are usually heavily infested in full length. In case of outbreak the pest causes dieback of individual trees or entire groups. Characteristic for its galleries is an irregular layout of larval tunnels with pupation chambers bored deeper in the sapwood. The nuptial chamber is not visible when the phloem layer is examined. The first generation occurs in May and its second generation swarms in July. In warmer areas there may even partially occur a third generation. Preferring especially forest stands affected by pollution or other agents. Pest’s outbreak usually occurs in hills and mountains. 

Symptom

Galleries under the bark. Pupation chambers bored deeper in the sapwood. 

Tree Species: Spruce

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 9 observations of the species in the system

Polygraphus poligraphus Small spruce bark beetle
Jozef
Number of votes: 0
Published: 5.2.2025

Polygraphus poligraphus Small spruce bark beetle
Erik Zajac
Number of votes: 0
Published: 5.1.2025

Polygraphus poligraphus Small spruce bark beetle
Jozef
Number of votes: 0
Published: 20.5.2024

Polygraphus poligraphus Small spruce bark beetle
Jakub
Number of votes: 0
Published: 2.4.2024

Polygraphus poligraphus Small spruce bark beetle
Rado
Number of votes: 0
Published: 7.4.2023