eastern fivespined ips
(Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff, 1868))

Overview

Origin

Ips grandicollis, eastern fivespined ips is native to the Americas. Ips beetles usually attack weakened, dying, or recently felled trees and fresh logging debris.

Life Cycle

Ips grandicollis adults are about 0.17 in. (4 mm) long and have 5 spines on each side. The eggs are about 0.03 in. (0.9 mm) long by 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) wide, and larvae have heads up to 0.03 in. (0.8 mm) wide. Pupae are waxy white and similar to adults in size. The life cycle requires 25 to 30 days. Recently felled trees and fresh logging debris are favored breeding material. In standing trees, this species is usually found in the upper trunk and basal portions of large branches.

Distribution

Ips grandicollis is also an eastern species found from Canada south to the Gulf and on some of the Caribbean Islands. Accidental introductions have also established populations in South and Western Australia.

Control Efforts

Beetle-caused damage can be reduced through one or more prevention or suppression techniques. Other control methods are burning, chipping, debarking, or burying infested portions of trees. Burning should be restricted to periods of low fire danger, and Federal and State laws should be observed. Land managers may consult their nearest county, State, or Federal forestry personnel for recommendations on management practices to be followed in a particular stand or area.

Resources

• Insects and Diseases of Trees in the South - USDA Forest Service
• Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet - USDA Forest Service
• Classical Biological Control of Pest Insects of Trees in the Southern U.S. - USDA Forest Service
• Data Sheets on Quarantine Pests - European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

No reference that we have lists this species as invasive in North America. This species is included for comparison to other species that are considered invasive.

References