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Scolytus intricatus

European oak bark beetle

Description

The beetle is up to 2.5–4 mm long. The female excavates a transverse egg gallery (1 – 2 cm long) under the bark of branches greater than 5 cm in diameter, but more frequently on tree trunks. Larval galleries extend parallel to the grain (perpendicular to the egg gallery) and can reach lengths of 10 to 15 cm. Swarming usually begins in late April or early May. The adults perform maturation feeding on oak twigs. As the vector of spores of vascular fungi of the genus Ophiostoma, ones from the most significant reasons of the oak forest dieback. Infested trees exhibit general symptoms of decline that include reduced growth, crown thinning (i.e. reduced foliage cover) and mortality. As a control method in the forest standing trap trees are deployed with a goal of reducing the pest population.

Symptom

Gallery under the bark. Short horizontal maternal gallery, which is only 1-2 cm long. 

Tree Species: Beech, Oak

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk, Branch

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence