The first symptom evident from attack by the white pine weevil is glistening droplets of resin on terminal leaders in late March and April. This is the result of punctures made by adults in the process of feeding and cutting egg-laying sites. Injury to eastern white pine and spruce is usually confined to the previous year's terminal leader. Damage on Scotch pine often extends downward through two or three year's growth. Infested trees are seldom killed.
Most damage is done by the larval stage.
Larvae are found just under the bark of infested terminals from May through July. Larvae chew and burrow completely around the stem causing the current year's growth to wilt, droop, and eventually die. At this point the tree is now permanently crooked. For several years after successful attack by this pest, a few more laterals may grow as leaders. This condition may result in a forked tree.