Bark-borer
Guides
Atimia confusa
Small Cedar Borer, Small Cedar-bark Borer
Atimia confusa is a species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in both Canada and the United States. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1827. It belongs to the small tribe Atimiini within the diverse cerambycid family.
Chrysoclista linneella
Linnaeus's spangle-wing, linden bark borer, cosmet
Chrysoclista linneella is a small moth with a wingspan of 10–13 mm, recognized by its distinctive orange forewings with three silvery spots and blackish-brown margins. The species is closely associated with linden trees (Tilia), where larvae tunnel beneath bark. Adults are active from May to September and are frequently encountered in urban areas with linden avenues, though rarely observed in natural habitats.
Dioryctria zimmermani
Zimmerman pine moth
Dioryctria zimmermani, the Zimmerman pine moth, is a conifer-feeding moth in the family Pyralidae. It is a significant pest of pine trees in the midwestern and northeastern United States and southern Canada. The species has one generation per year, with adults emerging in late August and eggs hatching through mid-September. Larvae bore into pine bark and cones, causing damage to host trees.
Enarmonia
cherry bark tortrix (E. formosana)
Enarmonia is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae. The genus contains approximately six described species, with Enarmonia formosana (cherry bark tortrix) being the most extensively studied due to its economic significance as a pest of Prunus species. Larvae develop as concealed feeders under bark, mining the cambium layer. Adults are active in spring and communicate via species-specific sex pheromones.
Enarmonia formosana
cherry-bark moth, cherry bark tortrix, cherrybark tortrix
A small tortricid moth native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with introduced populations in North America. Adults are active from May to October in temperate regions. Larvae tunnel beneath bark of mature Rosaceae trees, producing reddish frass at tunnel entrances. The species serves as host for multiple hymenopterous parasitoids in Europe and is managed using synthetic sex pheromones in North America.
Hylobiini
Hylobiini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Molytinae (Curculionidae). The tribe includes approximately 89 species in the genus Heilipus, which are distributed across the Americas. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with the plant family Lauraceae, with some species functioning as seed predators in fruits and others as bark-boring pests. The tribe contains three subtribes: Epistrophina, Hylobiina, and Incertae sedis.
Lechriops
Lechriops is a genus of true weevils in the family Curculionidae containing at least 90 described species. The genus was established by Carl Johan Schoenherr in 1825. The genus name is masculine per ICZN Article 30.1.4.3, which specifies that compound genus-group names ending in -ops are to be treated as masculine regardless of derivation or original author treatment. Members are small weevils associated with coniferous trees.
Lechriops griseus
Lechriops griseus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Cossoninae. Members of the genus Lechriops are small weevils associated with coniferous trees, where larvae bore under bark on trunks and larger branches. The species epithet "griseus" (Latin for "gray") likely refers to the coloration of the adult beetle. This species is part of a genus containing multiple species with similar bark-boring habits in pine and related conifers.
Physocnemum
elm bark borer
Physocnemum is a small genus of longhorned beetles (family Cerambycidae) containing three described species found in North America. The genus is characterized by ant- and wasp-mimicking appearance, with dark bodies, small amounts of red coloration, and polished ivory-colored ridges at mid-elytra that create the illusion of a narrow waist. The most well-known species, P. brevilineum (elm bark borer), develops in the bark of living elm trees and has been documented as an occasional pest causing injury to inner bark and cambium. Other species include P. andreae (cypress bark borer) and P. violaceipenne.
Physocnemum andreae
Cypress Bark Borer
Physocnemum andreae, commonly known as the cypress bark borer, is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Native to eastern North America, the species is classified as uncommon. Adults are associated with cypress trees, as indicated by both its common name and the ecological patterns observed in related species within the genus. The species was first described by Haldeman in 1847.
Physocnemum brevilineum
Elm Bark Borer
A small, wasp-mimicking longhorned beetle commonly known as the elm bark borer. Adults are dark with reddish accents and possess polished ivory-colored longitudinal ridges at mid-elytra that create the illusion of a narrow wasp waist. The species is considered uncommon despite having a common name and documented pest status. Larvae typically mine within the bark of living elm trees but have been observed in recently dead trees as well, occasionally causing injury to inner bark and cambium.
Semanotus
Semanotus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) described by Étienne Mulsant in 1839. Species within this genus are primarily wood-boring pests of coniferous trees, with documented associations including juniper, fir, cedar, cryptomeria, and cypress. Several species cause significant economic damage to timber and ornamental plantings. The genus has a broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with at least 19 recognized species.
Semanotus japonicus
sugi bark borer, Cryptomeria bark borer
Semanotus japonicus is a cerambycid beetle native to Japan that attacks living Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Larvae feed primarily within the inner bark of trunks, where they are vulnerable to drowning by resin flow. The species exhibits a transitional ecological state between primary and secondary bark borer, requiring adequate host nutrition but lacking defenses against host resin defenses. Adults are relatively sedentary, with limited between-tree movement and nocturnal mating activity concentrated from sunset to sunrise.
Synanthedon resplendens
Sycamore Borer Moth
A clearwing moth (family Sesiidae) native to western North America. Adults exhibit wasp-mimicry with yellow and black coloration and transparent wings. Larvae are bark miners, primarily infesting sycamore and oak trees. Despite extensive tunneling, damage is generally considered minor and trees tolerate infestation well.