Host preference and potential impact of pine shoot beetle [Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)] in Michigan pine stands

The common pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is a native pest of pines in Eurasia that was discovered in North America in 1992. More information is needed concerning T. piniperda host preference as it becomes established in North American forests. Distribution, host preference and potential impacts were examined using red (Pinus resinosa Ait.), jack (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in laboratory and field experiments between 1997 and 1999.; T. piniperda populations were well-established in southwestern lower Michigan, beginning to immigrate into mid-Michigan, and not found in northwestern lower Michigan between 1997 and 1999. T. piniperda colonized Scotch pine logs more frequently than red and jack pine in southwestern stands. In laboratory experiments, T. piniperda parent adults preferentially colonized Scotch pine logs over red and jack pine logs, while progeny adults preferred jack and Scotch pine shoots over red pine shoots.; Pine stands were surveyed to quantify the frequency and extent of shoot damage attributable to T. piniperda, native shoot-feeding insects, and non-insect factors to evaluate the current impact of T. piniperda in Michigan. Non-insect factors accounted for the majority of shoot damage. T. piniperda damaged shoots most frequently in Scotch pine stands. Implications of this research for developing improved methods to detect and manage T. piniperda in forest ecosystems are discussed.