The pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda L.) is an introduced pest of pines. The European native was first discovered in the U.S. at a Christmas tree farm near Cleveland, Ohio, in July 1992.
Shortly thereafter, USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) implemented a regulatory program and quarantines on at-risk pine commodities, like logs and lumber with bark, Christmas trees and nursery stock in known infested areas.
Despite the regulations, T. piniperda subsequently spread throughout the northeast and north central U.S.
Some uninfested states remain concerned that the pest could cause damage if introduced into the western and southeastern U.S. due to factors including high concentrations of susceptible pine species, environmental stressors that increase availability of susceptible hosts, and generally favorable climates for the beetle. Because of this, APHIS-PPQ conducted an analysis of the regulatory program’s effectiveness in slowing its spread and reducing losses.
APHIS-PPQ’s goal is to define the extent of the pine shoot beetle infestation and limit its artificial spread beyond the infested area through quarantine and an active regulatory program. In addition, PPQ wants to reduce the economic impact on specific plant industries within the infested area through pest management and improved regulatory protocols for movement of articles at risk.
T. piniperda feeds on many types of pine, and on rare occasions spruce, larches and Douglas fir.
Daniel Adam, Office National des Forêts, Bugwood.org
