The adult, after entering the bark, makes a small turning niche or nuptial chamber between the bark and wood and cuts a short tunnel, usually in two directions, away from the entrance. The scoring of the wood surface helps distinguish engraver beetles from other bark beetles. Pupation is in the spring at the end of the mines, and the adults emerge shortly afterward. Boring dust, a mixture of red and white particles resulting from the engraving of both bark and wood, may be seen in the bark crevices. However, for positive identification, bark must be removed from a damaged portion of the attacked tree, as some other insects produce similar symptoms.
Scolytus galleries are unique.
Table 1 may assist the observer in identifying the engraver beetles of B.C. using host, gallery type and external adult characteristics. Control is not practical unless treatment involves many trees in a small stand, ornamentals or high-value trees as in parks. McMullen, L. H. and M. D. Atkins. Struble, George R. 1957. The fir engraver, a serious enemy of western true firs.