Habits of Attack by the Black Turpentine Beetle on Slash and Longleaf Pine in North Florida

Abstract

The beetle is usually most active in disturbed stands such as logging areas, burned tracts, or naval stores operations where it can attack as much as 20% of a stand in a single season. First attacks are few in number and almost always confined to the basal 18 in. of the tree. Attacks slowly increase in number and to a height of about 72 in.; however, 85% of these attacks were made in the basal 36 in. of the trunk over a period of 5-7 months with the peak of activity reached during the 2d and 3d months. Although some activity may occur all year long, 90% of its action occurred from April to Oct.