Forestry-pest
Guides
Agrilus horni
aspen root girdler
Agrilus horni, commonly known as the aspen root girdler, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is a specialist pest of aspen (Populus tremuloides), causing damage by girdling the roots and lower stems of suckers. It is morphologically similar to Agrilus anxius (bronze birch borer) and Agrilus liragus (bronze poplar borer) but can be distinguished by its distinctive root-girdling behavior. The species has been documented in North America from Arizona, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Aphrophora cribrata
pine spittlebug
Aphrophora cribrata, commonly known as the pine spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. The species is associated with coniferous habitats and has been documented in North America. Taxonomic authorities recognize this species as a synonym of Epipyga cribrata, reflecting ongoing revisions in spittlebug classification. The common name indicates its ecological association with pine trees.
Archips oporana
pine tortrix, spruce tortrix
Archips oporana is a tortricid moth commonly known as the pine tortrix or spruce tortrix. First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, this species is found across Europe and parts of Asia including China, Korea, Japan, and Russia. The larvae are significant forestry pests, feeding on conifer needles and shoots of multiple host tree species. Adults are active primarily in late spring and summer, with a partial second generation in some regions.
Blastobasis
Blastobasis is the type genus of the moth family Blastobasidae (Gelechioidea), containing approximately half of all described species in that family. The genus is taxonomically problematic: its monophyly is seriously doubted, with many presumed relatives separated into small or monotypic genera that may represent specialized lineages within a broader Blastobasinae assemblage. Some formerly independent genera, including Agnoea, Auximobasis, Euresia, and Zenodochium, are variably included or excluded by different authors. Species occur across multiple continents with diverse larval habits, including acorn borers in oaks and stem borers in grasses.
Blastopsylla occidentalis
Eucalyptus Shoot Psyllid
Blastopsylla occidentalis is a psyllid native to Australia that has been introduced to multiple continents, becoming a significant pest of Eucalyptus species in forestry plantations worldwide. The species forms colonies on apical shoot tips where adults and nymphs feed on phloem sap, causing shoot distortion, reduced growth, apical tip death, and general plant weakening. Under field conditions in tropical and subtropical regions, it exhibits polyvoltine reproduction with all life stages present year-round. Population densities fluctuate seasonally, with peaks during dry periods and declines during heavy rainfall.
Cinara obscura
Dark Spruce Stem Aphid
Cinara obscura is a species of large aphid in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the Dark Spruce Stem Aphid. It is a conifer-feeding aphid that infests spruce trees (Picea species). Like other members of the genus Cinara, it possesses a long piercing-sucking beak adapted for tapping into phloem tissues. The species overwinters as eggs on host needles. It produces honeydew, which attracts ants and wasps and supports sooty mold growth.
Cinara pinea
Large Pine Aphid
Cinara pinea, the Large Pine Aphid, is a specialized phloem-feeding insect that colonizes Pinus species, particularly Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). It exhibits distinctive seasonal population dynamics, with spring peaks driven by host plant amino acid availability, followed by summer declines during drought conditions and partial autumn recoveries after rainfall. The species overwinters as eggs laid on current-year needles, with approximately 50% egg mortality between oviposition and hatching. Winged morphs (alatae) are produced only during June and early July, contingent on both crowding and active host shoot growth.
Clostera
Clostera is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Pygaerinae, containing approximately 30 described species distributed across the Holarctic and Oriental regions. Multiple species, including C. anachoreta, C. anastomosis, C. fulgurita, and C. cupreata, are recognized as significant defoliators of poplar (Populus) trees in forestry contexts across China, India, Europe, and Japan. The genus has been extensively studied for its economic impact and as a target for biological control and Bt toxin research.
Ctenarytaina
eucalyptus psyllids, blue gum psyllids
Ctenarytaina is a genus of jumping plant lice (psyllids) in the family Aphalaridae, native to Australia and associated primarily with Myrtaceae. The genus includes economically significant pest species that have been introduced to multiple continents, particularly Ctenarytaina eucalypti, which threatens eucalyptus forestry and ornamental foliage industries. Several species have established adventive populations outside their native ranges, with documented impacts in Ireland, Chile, Colombia, and other regions. The genus exhibits strong host plant associations, with most species being monophagous or narrowly oligophagous on Eucalyptus, Syzygium, and other Myrtaceae.
Ctenarytaina spatulata
Rose Gum Psyllid
Ctenarytaina spatulata is a psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, described by Taylor in 1997. It is associated with Eucalyptus hosts and has been introduced to multiple continents beyond its native Australian range. The species has established populations in Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. It is one of numerous exotic insects linked to global forestry trade, particularly involving eucalyptus plantations.
Diclidophlebia
Diclidophlebia is a pantropical genus of psyllids (jumping plant-lice) established by Crawford in 1920. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Multiple species are documented crop and forestry pests, with known associations to hosts in Melastomataceae, Sterculiaceae, Irvingiaceae, and other plant families. Some species have been investigated as potential biological control agents for invasive plants.
Dioryctria auranticella
ponderosa pineconeworm moth
Dioryctria auranticella is a small pyralid moth whose larvae develop inside the cones of ponderosa pine and knobcone pine. Adults are active in mid-summer and are attracted to lights. The species is restricted to western North America, where it functions as a cone pest with potential impact on pine seed production.
Eudociminus mannerheimii
Cypress Weevil
Eudociminus mannerheimii, the cypress weevil, is a native North American beetle in the family Curculionidae. It breeds primarily in scarred, weakened, or fallen cypress trees and occasionally damages nursery stock and stump sprouts. Despite its potential to cause localized tree mortality, published biological information remains extremely limited.
Eulachnus rileyi
pine needle aphid
Eulachnus rileyi is a pine needle aphid native to North America that has become established in pine plantations across Africa, South America, and Europe. It feeds on phloem sap of pine needles, showing preference for 3-4 year old foliage. Populations exhibit bimodal peaks in spring and autumn, with crashes during heavy rainfall periods. The species reproduces parthenogenetically, producing both winged dispersal forms and wingless forms. It is considered a significant pest in commercial pine plantations, where dense infestations can cause needle yellowing, reduced growth, and tree stress.
Glycaspis brimblecombei
Red Gum Lerp Psyllid
Glycaspis brimblecombei, the Red Gum Lerp Psyllid, is an invasive sap-sucking insect native to Australia that has become a significant pest of Eucalyptus plantations worldwide. First described by Moore in 1964, this psyllid has spread to North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, causing substantial damage to forestry productivity. Nymphs construct protective sugary coverings called lerps while feeding on leaf phloem, and their multivoltine life cycle enables rapid population growth. The species is a major target for biological control efforts using parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogenic fungi.
Gonipterinae
Gonipterinae is a subfamily of weevils within Curculionidae. Members are primarily associated with Eucalyptus trees, with several species recognized as significant forestry pests. The subfamily includes economically important genera such as Gonipterus. Many species have been inadvertently introduced to regions outside their native Australian range.
Hylobius congener
Seedling Debarking Weevil, Pine Weevil
Hylobius congener, the seedling debarking weevil, is a species of pine weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is a documented pest of newly planted coniferous seedlings in clearcut forests, where adults feed on bark and frequently girdle and kill young trees. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records in Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, and Manitoba.
Hypsipyla
Hypsipyla is a genus of snout moths (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) established by Ragonot in 1888. The genus contains approximately 11 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Several species, notably H. robusta and H. grandella, are economically significant pests of Meliaceae trees including mahogany (Swietenia), Spanish cedar (Cedrela), and Toona. These shoot borers attack apical shoots, causing growth deformities and substantial economic losses in forestry plantations.
Leptocybe
blue gum chalcid wasp, eucalyptus gall wasp
Leptocybe is a monotypic genus of gall wasps in the family Eulophidae, containing the single species L. invasa. Native to Queensland, Australia, this genus has become globally significant as an invasive pest of Eucalyptus plantations. The wasp induces spherical galls on leaf buds and young tissues of multiple Eucalyptus species, causing substantial economic damage to forestry operations worldwide. The genus is characterized by extremely small body size, thelytokous parthenogenetic reproduction, and rapid population expansion in introduced ranges.
Macalla
Macalla is a genus of pyralid moths in the subfamily Epipaschiinae, established by Walker in 1859. The genus includes species whose larvae are known to feed on mahogany (Swietenia) and related plants, with Macalla thyrsisalis (mahogany webworm) being the most documented species due to its economic importance as a pest of West Indies mahogany. Adult moths are nocturnal and attracted to light. The genus is part of the diverse snout moth family Pyralidae, which contains many economically significant agricultural and forestry pests.
Monema
slug moths, cup moths
Monema is a genus of medium-sized yellowish moths in the family Limacodidae, commonly known as slug moths or cup moths. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed across East and Southeast Asia. Members are notable for their larval morphology: caterpillars are flattened, legless in appearance, and move using suckers and liquefied silk lubricant in a wave-like motion resembling slugs. The genus includes significant forestry pests, particularly Monema flavescens, which has been introduced to North America.
Orthotomicus spinifer
Orthotomicus spinifer is a bark beetle species in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae, described by Cognato & Vogler in 2001. It is a member of the genus Orthotomicus, which contains several species of bark beetles that infest coniferous trees. The species is known from North America and, like other members of its genus, is associated with the phloem and cambium layers of trees.
Pachylobius picivorus
pitch-eating weevil, pitch eating weevil
Pachylobius picivorus, commonly known as the pitch-eating weevil, is a pine root-feeding weevil native to North America. The species is an economically significant pest of natural and planted pine seedlings, with brood development requiring 100–128 days during summer. Adults are long-lived and oviposit continuously at approximately 0.7 eggs per day per female throughout their lifespan. Populations exhibit two annual peaks in the Georgia Piedmont, driven by temperature and developmental cycles. Behavioral studies indicate the species responds strongly to olfactory cues, particularly ethanol and turpentine mixtures, though visual cues are less important for host location than in related species such as Hylobius pales.
pine-weevilroot-feeding-weevilforestry-pestPinus-pestCurculionidaeNorth-AmericaGeorgia-Piedmonttrap-response-behaviorethanol-turpentine-responsepine-seedling-damagelong-lived-adultcontinuous-ovipositionpopulation-peakssummer-brood-developmentolfactory-cue-responsevisual-cue-secondaryTedders-trapmodified-Tilles-trapeconomic-pestforest-regeneration-pestlarval-root-feedingpine-plantation-pestbehavioral-ecologyhost-finding-behaviorground-dwelling-weevilPachylobiusMolytinaePissodiniParanthrene tabaniformis
dusky clearwing, dusky clearwing moth, poplar clearwing moth
Paranthrene tabaniformis, the dusky clearwing moth, is a sesiid moth native to the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of wasps, with transparent wings and wasp-like coloration. Adults are active from May to August, with flight activity varying by location. The larvae are wood-borers that develop through 6-7 instars, feeding internally on poplar, willow, and sea-buckthorn before pupating in chambers within larval galleries.
Paropsisterna
leaf beetles, eucalyptus leaf beetles
Paropsisterna is a genus of chrysomelid leaf beetles containing over 120 species native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Many species exhibit bright aposematic coloration and feed on Myrtaceae, particularly Eucalyptus. Several species have become invasive pests in New Zealand and Europe, causing significant defoliation of eucalypt plantations and ornamental trees. The genus was redefined in 2006 to include species formerly placed in Chrysophtharta and other genera.
Paropsisterna m-fuscum
Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle
Paropsisterna m-fuscum is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, native to Australia and now invasive in California, USA. It has become a significant forestry pest, particularly on Blue Gum eucalyptus. The species can reach high population densities and causes defoliation damage. Both adults and larvae feed on eucalyptus foliage.
Pineus strobi
Pine Bark Adelgid, White Pine Bark Aphid
Pineus strobi is a small, sap-sucking insect in the family Adelgidae, commonly known as the pine bark adelgid or white pine bark aphid. It is a specialist feeder on white pine (Pinus strobus) and related pine species, forming dense colonies on bark and branches. The species has been introduced to regions outside its native range, including central European Russia and the Fergana Valley, where it is considered invasive. Like other adelgids, it possesses complex associations with bacterial endosymbionts that aid in nutritional processing.
Podapion gallicola
Pine Gall Weevil
Podapion gallicola is a weevil that induces galls on pine branches. It has a three-year life cycle on its host tree, with adults emerging in June and ovipositing through August. Larvae feed gregariously on cambium and xylem tissue, triggering gall formation during their second instar. The species is known from Michigan and eastern Canada.
Saperda calcarata
Poplar Borer
Saperda calcarata, commonly known as the poplar borer, is a longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The species is native to North America, occurring in Canada and the United States. Larvae are significant pests of balsam poplar and related Populus species, tunneling at the junction of the root and stem where they cause structural damage that can girdle and kill trees. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle in western Canada and possesses a recognized variety, Saperda calcarata var. adspersa, distinguished by coloration differences between sexes.
Scolytus piceae
Spruce Engraver
Scolytus piceae is a bark beetle species in the weevil family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae, commonly known as the Spruce Engraver. It is a primary phloem-feeding beetle specializing on spruce trees, with documented associations with Engelmann spruce and white spruce in northern Idaho. The species constructs galleries in the phloem tissue of host trees where larvae develop.
Temelucha interruptor
Temelucha interruptor is a parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae that attacks larvae of the pine shoot moth (Rhyacionia buoliana). The species has been introduced to North America for biological control but exhibits problematic behavior by preferentially attacking host larvae already parasitized by the braconid wasp Orgilus obscurator. This interference reduces the effectiveness of biological control programs targeting R. buoliana. The species is native to Europe, with established populations in Denmark and Sweden, and has been recorded in the conterminous United States.
Tomicus piniperda
common pine shoot beetle, Eurasian pine shoot beetle
Tomicus piniperda is a bark beetle native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and northern Asia, and an invasive species in North America. It is one of the most destructive shoot-feeding beetles in northern Europe, causing economic damage to pine forestry through two distinct feeding behaviors: breeding in stressed or dead pine trunks and feeding on the pith of healthy young pine shoots. The beetle has a single generation per year and does not use pheromones for mate location, instead relying on host plant volatiles. It was first detected in North America in 1992 near Cleveland, Ohio, and has since spread to multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, triggering federal quarantines.
Tortricidae
tortrix moths, leafroller moths, tortricid moths
Tortricidae is a large family of small moths with over 11,000 described species, constituting the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Members are commonly known as tortrix moths or leafroller moths due to the larval behavior of rolling leaves to form shelters. The family includes numerous economically significant agricultural and forestry pests, notably the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and spruce budworm (Choristoneura species). The typical resting posture features wings folded back, creating a rounded profile.