The Southern Pine Beetle

Edited by:
Robert C. Thatcher – Program Manager, Expanded Southern Pine Beetle Research and Applications Program, USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA,
Janet L. Searcy – Writer/Editor, Expanded Southern Pine Beetle Research and Applications Program, USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA,
Jack E. Coster – Applications Coordinator, Expanded Southern Pine Beetle Research and Applications Program, USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA, and
Gerard D. Hertel – Research Coordinator, Expanded Southern Pine Beetle Research and Applications Program, USDA Forest Service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Expanded Southern Pine Beetle Research and Applications Program, Forest Service, Science and Education Administration, Technical Bulletin 1631: [1980].

This on-line version was retyped and prepared for the Web by The Bugwood Network (http://www.bugwood.org), The University of Georgia from the hardcopy version of Technical Bulletin 1631. Funding for this project was provided by USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Region-8 as part of Federal Project No.: 01 DG11083150-600. Some of the images and figures may be slightly different than those used in the original publication. Created July 2002.

This publication reports research with pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended.

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife — if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers.

The mention of products and companies by name does not constitute endorsement by the USDA, nor does it imply approval of a product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1  Introduction
	SPB research in the South
	ESPBRAP planning, organization, and management
	Technology transfer and postprogram needs
	A word about this book
2  Life History and Habits
	Taxonomy
	Geographical distribution and hosts
	Life stages
	Life cycle and behavior
	Conclusion
3  Natural Enemies and Associated Organisms
	Arthropod enemies of SPB
	Avian predators
	Competitors
	Pathogenic organisms
	Symbiotic organisms
	Natural enemies’ impact
	Contributions of ESPBRAP research
4  Climatic, Site, and Stand Factors
	Climatic factors
	Site factors
	Stand factors
	Summary and conclusions
	Southwide conclusions
5  Population Dynamics
	SPB populations within trees, infestations, and forests
	Host’s role in SPB population dynamics
	Role of SPB in dynamics of the pine ecosystem
	Role of weather in SPB population dynamics
	Implications of SPB population dynamics in pest management decisionmaking
6  Sampling and Predicting Population Trends
	Surveys for monitoring beetle activity
	Sampling to estimate beetle populations and tree mortality
	Predicting population potential
	Summary
7  Impacts of the SPB
	Timber impacts
	Recreation impacts
	Esthetic impacts
	Hydrologic impacts
	Wildlife impacts
	Grazing impacts
	Wildfire impacts
	Summary
8  Rating Stands for Susceptibility to SPB
	Classification and rating of stands for risk
	Current status and future needs
9  Silvicultural Guidelines for Reducing Losses to the Southern Pine Beetle
	Protecting stands from the SPB
	Regional recommendations
	Discussion
10  Direct Control
	Current control methods
	Potential control methods evaluated
	Practical considerations and complexities of areawide control programs
	Learning to cope with SPB outbreaks
	Summary
11  Developing Integrated Management Strategies
	Summary of IPM research accomplishments
	Factors influencing development of SPB management systems
	Components of SPB decision support systems
	Developing SPB decision support systems
	Implementing SPB decision support systems
	Conclusion
12  Recommendations for Future Work
	New technology ready for validation, pilot testing, and transfer to users
	Continuing and new research needs
	How do we get this job done?
Literature Cited
Unpublished Literature Cited
Glossary
Appendix
	Table 1. — Beetle- and host tree-associated compounds found to affect southern pine beetle                   behavior Table 2. — Arthropod predators of the southern pine beetle Table 3. — Arthropod parasitoids of the southern pine beetle Table 4. — Key to the final instar larvae of the major parasites of the southern pine beetle Table 5. — Mites that prey on the southern pine beetle Table 6. — Key to mites commonly associated with the southern pine beetle Table 7. — Frequently encountered pathogens of southern pine beetle in Mississippi and                   Alabama Table 8. — Members of the Southern Pine Beetle Technology Transfer Task Force Table 9. — Members of the Southern Pine Beetle Technology Transfer Teams Table 10. — ESPBRAP participants

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