www.southernpinebeetle.nj.gov

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www.southernpinebeetle.nj.gov
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History of SPB
(Dendroctonus frontalis)

• Active for decades in Southeastern U.S.
• Reported insect problem in New Jersey in 2001
• Confirmed by NJFS USFS

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NJ SPB Movement 2002-2010
Egg Harbor River
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NJ SPB Movement 2002-2010
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NJ SPB Movement 2002-2010
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2001-2011 SPB Infested Acres in NJ
NJ Forest Service 2010
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2011 NJ SPB Infestations
2011 SPB Infestation
2002-2010 SPB Infestations
Current CFMP Community Forestry Management Plan

• 852 Infestations
• 6,789 Acres
• lt1/2 infestations DEP
• gt1/2 infestations private non-DEP

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2006-2020from U.S. Forest Service
NJ SPB Mortality Projections
gt 25 tree mortality
15-25 tree mortality
5-15 tree mortality
Mortality potential without intervention
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2011 SPB Rapidly Expands
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SPB Impact Quick tree loss
Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University,
Bugwood.org

• Trees may show signs within days of attack
• Pines die as quickly as 3-4 weeks after initial
  attack

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SPB Impact Canopy Loss

• Changes forest type
• Decreases wildlife habitat
• Reduces recreation and aesthetic quality
• Increases stream temperatures and sediment
  buildup

Pine warbler
Ollie Knott,Georgia Forestry Commission,Bugwood.
org
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SPB Impact Hazard Trees

• Dead pines are highly susceptible to rot fungi
• Branches and tops readily break
• Poses a danger to people and property

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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
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SPB Impact Blue Stain Fungi

• Beetles transmit fungus
• Fungus establishes in days
• Woods value decreases

Erich Vallery, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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SPB Lifecycle

• 4-6 weeks to mature
• Multiple generations per year in the same area
• Larval stage feeds on trees inner bark
• Galleries girdle tree

Richard Kliefoth, Boyce Thompson Institute
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SPB Signs Stage 3 - Vacated
Red crown or no foliage
Clerid larvae or pupae
Loose bark, blue stain
Ambrosia beetle dust
Exit Holes
Erich G. Vallery
Ron Billings
G. Keith Douce
State Forestry Services
State Forestry Services
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SPB Signs Stage 2 Brood Trees
Hardened pitch tubes
Galleries with larvae or pupae
Green crowns fade to yellow
New adults
Gerald J. Lenhard Louisiana State University
Erich G. Vallery
Erich G. Vallery
Erich G. Vallery
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SPB Signs Stage 1 Fresh attacks
Adult clerids on bark
Fresh pitch tubes
Boring dust in bark crevices
Green crown
Erich G. Vallery
Erich G. Vallery
Ron Billings
Cleridae, Wikipedia
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SPB Look-alikes
Small southern pine engraver Ips avulsus
2 to 3 mm
Fivespined engraver Ips grandicollis
3 to 4 mm
Sixspined engraver Ips calligraphus
4 to 5 mm
Southern pine beetle Dendroctonus frontalis
3 to 4 mm
Black turpentine beetle Dendroctonus terebrans
6 to 8 mm
Gerald J. Lenhard, Louiana State Univ,
Bugwood.org
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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
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SPB Look-alikes Engraver Ips beetles
Jeffrey Eickwort, Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org
Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service,
Bugwood.org
Ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service,
Bugwood.org
Ips grandicollis 3.5 to 6.5 mm
Ips avulsus 2.3 2.8 mm
Ips calligraphus 2.8 to 4.7 mm
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SPB Look-alikes

• Engraver 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

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

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

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service,
Bugwood.org
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SPB Spot Growth
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SPB Triangle for Spot Growth
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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Expanding SPB Infestation

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

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Effects of SPB Spot Disruption
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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Cut-and-Leave Suppression

• Disorients beetles and disrupts population growth
• Found successful in prior suppression efforts
  across the US and Central America

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Cut-and-Salvage Suppression

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

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Successful Suppression Winslow WMA
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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
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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

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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
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NJFS SPB Process
Detect SPB
Determine Property Ownership
Non-DEP Property
DEP Property
Municipal Notification
Other State Agency Notification
Prioritize Ground Truthing
Confirm SPB
Confirm SPB
Encourage Suppression
Ground Truth and Flag Suppression Area
Ground Truth and Flag Suppression Area
Large Infestation
Small Infestation
Perform Suppression Action
Perform Suppression Action
Consulting Forester
CTE or Arborist
Monitor and Report
Monitor and Report
Monitor and Report
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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 attack

Emamectin benzoate (TREE-age)
Arborjet
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Landowners SPB Assistance

• Southern 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
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Southern Pine Beetle Case Study

• Proposed Indian Mounds Wilderness
• 12,369 acres
• Easternmost point of Texas
• Borders Louisiana
• SPB allowed to follow natural course due to
  restrictions on forest management

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July 1992, Texas Indian Mounds Wilderness
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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Feb 1993, Texas Indian Mounds Wilderness
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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June 1993, Texas Indian Mounds Wilderness
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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Aug 1993, Texas Indian Mounds Wilderness
Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service
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SPB in Texas Indian Mounds Wilderness
To date, SPB impacted 68 of Indian Mounds
Wilderness Area
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What you can do
2/3 of New Jersey forests are privately owned

• to 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

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What you can do

• Contact 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 Services

Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service,
Bugwood.org
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For updates visit
www.southernpinebeetle.nj.gov