Phloeosinus cupressi

Hopkins, 1903

cypress bark beetle

Phloeosinus cupressi is a crenulate bark beetle native to North America that has become in Australia and New Zealand. It poses a serious threat to Cupressus trees and related conifers, with potential ecological and economic impacts globally. Climate change is projected to expand its suitable northward by approximately 18% under RCP6.0 scenarios.

Phloeosinus cupressi by (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr. Used under a CC-BY license.Phloeosinus cupressi by (c) Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Phloeosinus cupressi by (c) Desmond W. Helmore , some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phloeosinus cupressi: //ˌfloʊ.iˈoʊ.saɪ.nəs kuˈprɛs.aɪ//

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Habitat

Temperate, subtropical, and Mediterranean zones; found under bark of dead or dying trees, felled trees, or deadwood.

Distribution

Native to North America; currently established in Canada, United States, Panama, Australia, and New Zealand. Projected suitable areas under climate change include Europe, South America, China, and expanded ranges in Australia and New Zealand. Currently absent from China but at risk of establishment.

Diet

feed on phloem tissues and bore into small twigs upon .

Host Associations

  • Cupressus - primary
  • Cupressus macrocarpa -
  • Cupressus arizonica -
  • Cupressus tortulosa -
  • Chamaecyparis lawsoniana -
  • Platycladus orientalis -
  • Thuja plicata -
  • Thuja occidentalis -
  • Sequoia sempervirens -
  • Callitris spp. -

Life Cycle

emerge and bore into small twigs, creating tunnels that extend downward from the center while preserving a thin outer bark layer. Bored twigs subsequently break off and attract additional adults. occurs preferentially under bark of dead or dying trees, though more commonly found beneath felled trees or deadwood.

Behavior

Upon , bore into small twigs creating characteristic tunnels. Frequency and severity of has been observed to be gradually increasing under current climate conditions.

Ecological Role

Destructive forest pest posing serious threat to forest and urban greenery. using parasitic wasp Rhaphitelus maculatus has been employed.

Human Relevance

Major economic and ecological threat to cypress plantations and urban greenery. Global trade of Cupressus increases risk of spread, necessitating and monitoring in high-risk regions.

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Sources and further reading