Bark Beetles and Ambrosia Beetles

Family Scolytidae

Red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Bark beetle adults and larvae feed on the inner bark of the trees. Ambrosia beetles bore into the wood of trees and feed on a form of fungus which they cultivate and then feed to the larvae. Bark beetles live in the bark of trees right at the surface of the wood. Most of them feed in dying trees but some may attack healthy trees, particularly conifers, and kill them. Ambrosia beetles infest only living or freshly killed trees which have a high moisture content. Scolytidae are 1 to 9 mm in length but rarely more than 3 mm. They are usually black or brownish in colour, cylindrical and robust, and they have a short snout. The head, which is narrower than the pronotum, is often not seen from the top. The antennae are short, elbowed and clubbed. Bark beetles have a large spine or projection at the end of the front tibiae.

Distribution of Red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens) in Canada