Larval tunneling in the cambial region results in decreased vigor and death of infested portions on the entire tree. Damage is often severe in regions where there are large quantities of breeding material, such as fresh stumps in Christmas tree plantations and in stands under intensive management. Because of the scarcity of breeding material in natural pine stands, damage there is of little consequence. The importance of pine weevils in the containerized ornamental conifer industry is just being recognized in the Northeast. This stock is often stressed and provides an excellent microenvironment for these weevils.
Austrian pines seem to provide the best breeding opportunities.
Dense mugho pines provide maximum protection and much weevil damage is probably overlooked as winter injury or disease. Weevils have been reared from mugho branches smaller than a common pencil in diameter. This can be a serious pest. All Pissodes species weevils very closely resemble one another in every life stage. Usually they are distinguished by host and damage site.