Silver fir beetle, Pseudohylesinus grandis, / Fir root bark beetle, Pseudohylesinus granulatus,
 

Fig. 101 Pseudohylesinus spp. adult in gallery.	Fig. 102 Fir root bark beetle-killed trees in background; blowdown in foreground.

Tree Species Attacked: Primarily amabilis fir is attacked, but also grand fir, Douglas-fir, and western hemlock.

Insect Description & Damage Symptoms: Fir root bark beetle attacks are usually associated with the silver fir beetle; the biologies of the two species are very similar. The fir root bark beetle attacks at the base of unthrifty standing trees or near the ground in large cut and fallen trees.  The silver fir beetle attacks attacks the limbs and bole of unhealthy trees.  Fir root bark beetles (4.1 to 5.5 mm) are larger than silver fir beetles (2.7 to 3.9 mm). The egg gallery is transverse across the grain of the wood, and resembles that of the fir engraver beetle. Beetle attack is usually associated with trees that have been stressed. Usually only single trees or a few individual trees are involved.

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BC Ministry of Forests
Forest Practices Branch
P.O. Box 9513 Stn. Prov. Gov.
Victoria, BC
V8W 9C2

Section phone: (250) 387-8739
Section fax: (250) 387-2136

Last updated August 31, 2006