Ips amitinus

Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle

Description

The adult has a cylindrical pitch-black and 3.5-4.8 mm long body. Adults of the first generation are active in late-April through July, and those of the second generation - in July and August. Females bore maternal galleries, which are thinner (up to 2 mm in width) than those of I. typographus. The maternal galleries are linear, two- or three-branched (as many as 5-7 branches may occur), they are slightly narrower than those of the relative and often bent in a wavy pattern. In general, its galleries are less regular. If occurring together with the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, its targets are mainly branches and the upper part of stems, while the lower part is often attacked by I. typographus. Its population is more abundant in higher mountains. There is a risk of outbreak.

Symptom

Females bore maternal galleries, which are thinner (up to 2 mm in width) than those of I. typographus. The maternal galleries are linear, two- or three-branched (as many as 5-7 branches may occur), they are slightly narrower than those of the relative and often bent in a wavy pattern. In general, its galleries are less regular.

Tree Species: Spruce

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes