Golden-haired pest

American Forests, Wntr, 2005

Another pest is causing concerns for trees on each coast. The goldenhaired pine bark beetle, Hylurgus ligniperda, is a native of Eurasia. It attacks seedlings and pole-sized trees, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, but could have its greatest impact as a vector of Leptographiumfungi L. wageneri, the casual agent of black stain root disease. If the disease, which is currently in the West, overlaps with beetles, it could prove disastrous for native pines.

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Pines are the usual hosts for the beetles, but the pest has adapted to fire, spruce, and larch outside its native range. Adults like fresh stumps, slash, and logging debris. The beetle was first found in the United States in the mid-90s. It was most recently found in parts of California last year.