Douglas Fir Beetles -

Adult fir beetle      Galleries      damage
USDA Forest Service -
Region 4 Archives,
USDA Forest Service,
www.forestryimages.org

Kenneth E. Gibson,
 USDA Forest Service,
 www.forestryimages.org
William M. Ciesla, Forest
Health Management International,
www.forestryimages.org


Fir Beetle adult, 1/6 - 1/4 inch
Jerald E. Dewey, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org
Beetle on pencil tip for size reference

HOSTS:  Douglas Fir.

DESCRIPTION: Adults are 1/6 to 1/4 inch long, dark brown to black with reddish wing covers. Larvae are found within galleries under the bark. They are long, gray, legless grubs with dark heads.

LIFE CYCLE: Flight occurs May through June.  A second attack occurs in mid September.  Life cycle is 2 to 3 years.

CONTROLS: Avoid injury to trees. Prune in late winter and remove slash as soon as possible. Mulch conifers with 1 - 3" of composted bark mulch. Keep well watered during July and August, and thin out overcrowded stands of conifers.
          Trapping- Anti-aggregation pheromone see:
                         Bark Beetle Pheromone Use table.



Missoula County Extension Office; Missoula, Montana 59808 - Updated for 2006