Tomicus piniperda L. Common Pine Shoot Beetle Background Tomicus piniperda L. is recognized as one of the most destructive bark beetles of pine in its native Eurasia. By the end of 1992, the beetle had been reported from six states bordering on the Great Lakes. As a result of the American find surveys began in Canada in 1993 and by the end of the year established populations of T. piniperda had been found in seven counties in southwestern Ontario. Biology Pine shoot beetles complete only one generation per year. Adult beetles spend the winter under the bark at the base of living pine trees.
Females can fly several kilometres in search of a suitable brood site.
Once a site is located the female will mate and lay eggs in an egg gallery that she tunnels out between the inner bark and the cambium of the tree. The egg gallery may reach 25 cm in length. Mature larvae pupate and emerge as adults between July and October. This is the most destructive stage of the life cycle with damaged shoots turning yellow, drooping and eventually falling off the tree. Trees of all sizes are attacked.