Help with pine borer beetles PLEASE

[ValorG]

So first confirm if these are them. I found 2 of these today on 1 large tree I recently worked on but the tree showed no signs of any larva burrowing inside while I was carving it. I saw another one, two days ago on the same tree and 1 on a different JBP today. I'll be going out every night to kill them if I see them on my trees. Anything else I should be doing?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Possible Asian longhorn beetle, but attennae are too short and body on the small side.

If you have wood or bark boring beetles you usually will see little piles of sawdust around the base of the tree.

If you are comfortable using chemical pesticides, any systemic neonicotinoid such as imidaproclid, sold as Bayer Tree and Shrub, will work. It must be a systemic, the type that is spread on surface of soil to be absorbed by the roots. Spray on pesticides won't be able to penetrate bark to get to the borers.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

As with all chemicals, read the labels, if it does not mention borers, or boring insects, it is not meant for that pest. Only use a chemical if it lists the pest you want to kill.

And follow safety labelling.

 

[CasAH]

Possible Asian longhorn beetle, but attennae are too short and body on the small side.

If you have wood or bark boring beetles you usually will see little piles of sawdust around the base of the tree.

If you are comfortable using chemical pesticides, any systemic neonicotinoid such as imidaproclid, sold as Bayer Tree and Shrub, will work. It must be a systemic, the type that is spread on surface of soil to be absorbed by the roots. Spray on pesticides won't be able to penetrate bark to get to the borers.

Leo, Asian longhorned bettle are larger and have light blue rings on their antennas and light blue spots on their bodies.

They have the same basic body shape as this one, so I think your suggestion to use a systemic insecticide is smart. You do not want to take chances.

ValorG make sure to do the recommended follow up treatments, as these may have been adults laying eggs on your trees that have not yet hatched.

 

[ValorG]

I just bought bayer tree and shrub in the granuole form and will be treating the trees. I think if they did lay eggs they will be hatching soon and I wanna make sure they die asap.

 

[Paradox]

I just bought bayer tree and shrub in the granuole form and will be treating the trees. I think if they did lay eggs they will be hatching soon and I wanna make sure they die asap.

Granular takes time to work because it relies on uptake via the roots. If you want something more immediate, get a spray.

 

[ValorG]

I already have the liquid bayer would it be overkill if I treated the roots with that AND put the granules at the same time? To get immediate effect and a long lasting slow release one.

 

[drew33998]

Lost my battle with them. Had two black pine prebonsai. Beetles moved in and killed some large 60 year old pines i had in the yard(10 or so). They also went after the bonsai pines. I have over 40 mature pines on my land and still have signs the beetles are still present. No more pine bonsai for me for a while.

 

[Paradox]

@ValorG

I just noticed that you are on Long Island. Are you worried that this is the southern pine beetle that has invaded the area in the last 2 years?

The answer is no, it is not the southern pine beetle.
Those look like this:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/southern_pine_beetle.htm

It isnt an Asian Longhorn Beetle either. Those do not attack pines. They attack deciduous trees.

 

[ValorG]

Lost my battle with them. Had two black pine prebonsai. Beetles moved in and killed some large 60 year old pines i had in the yard(10 or so). They also went after the bonsai pines. I have over 40 mature pines on my land and still have signs the beetles are still present. No more pine bonsai for me for a while.

That sounds horriblee Sorry to hear that.

 

[ValorG]

@ValorG

I just noticed that you are on Long Island. Are you worried that this is the southern pine beetle that has invaded the area in the last 2 years?

The answer is no, it is not the southern pine beetle.
Those look like this:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/southern_pine_beetle.htm

It isnt an Asian Longhorn Beetle either. Those do not attack pines. They attack deciduous trees.

OOo thanks I feel a bit better. I was just worried that they were some sort of pine borer. Hopefully they arent, but ill still play it safe and use the insecticide.

 

[StoneCloud]

Arhopalus productus

 

[Paradox]

Arhopalus productus

That certainly looks like a closely related species. But everything I can find says that one is on the west coast. The OP is on the east coast. Also the wing covers on the one you posted have lines of hairs or ridges. The bug in the OP, has smooth wing covers.

I swear I have IDed this critter somewhere before. I just can't find it now.

 

[StoneCloud]

That certainly looks like a closely related species. But everything I can find says that one is on the west coast. The OP is on the east coast. Also the wing covers on the one you posted have lines of hairs or ridges. The bug in the OP, has smooth wing covers.

I swear I have IDed this critter somewhere before. I just can't find it now.

From the OP's pic it's dark but at the top of bug's back I see the ridges so i figured it was Arhopalus productus.

I still could be wrong though I'm no expert on bugs.

I lived on Long Island through high school and college and I can swear I remember these beetles but then again so many look so similar!

When you had to ID it before was it in your garden or you did for someone else asking?

 

[Paradox]

From the OP's pic it's dark but at the top of bug's back I see the ridges so i figured it was Arhopalus productus.

I still could be wrong though I'm no expert on bugs.

I lived on Long Island through high school and college and I can swear I remember these beetles but then again so many look so similar!

When you had to ID it before was it in your garden or you did for someone else asking?

I had a side job doing insect ID for insects found on one of our local beaches for a monitoring program. You're correct in that so many look very similar. I could be confusing this one with another one as well.

 

[GrimLore]

Malathion will eliminate the suspects...

Grimmy

 

[StoneCloud]

Malathion will eliminate the suspects...

Grimmy