This is the insect that kills the leaders of white pine, and is perhaps the most serious pest of white pine at the present time. The adult beetles overwinter under dead bark, stones and wherever they may find protection in woodland areas, and appear on the trees in April. During May, they lay eggs in punctures in the bark of the leaders and the grubs feed under the bark, often girdling them so they wilt and die in July. Mature grubs make cells in the wood of the leader to pupate. The beetles begin to emerge in late July and continue into September.
Winter is passed as an adult.
There is one generation each year. Seedlings planted in shade are seldom injured, but those in sunny situations are infested. Jarring the trees twice a week from May 1 to June 15 and catching the beetles in a net is one method of control. Consult the labels for dosage rates and safety precautions. In forest plantations, the practice of cutting and burning the weevil-infested leaders, if allowed, during the first half of July has given fairly satisfactory results.