Southern Pine Beetle in New Jersey

Southern Pine Beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis is a destructive pest of coniferous trees whose natural range is from Pennsylvania to Florida. NJ Forest Service foresters have been investigating sites in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties where outbreaks have killed pine trees. The affected areas are approximately 0.10 - 305 acres in size and scattered. The SPB attacks all species of pines, but prefers pitch, shortleaf, pond, and loblolly, which all occur in southern NJ.   Initial SPB damage appears as yellow progressing to red and eventually brown. This can happen within 1 to 2 months. Throughout the Pinelands region approximately 2,508 acres have been infested according to our 2003 survey.

Southern Pine Beetle Damage Photo courtesty of USDA/USFS

Small yellowish-white pitch tubes found on the lower portion (approx. 15 feet from ground) of a tree is an indication of an infestation. The pitch tubes range from a nickel to a quarter in size. Another indication that the SPB has attacked a tree is the exit holes on the bark. These are approximately half the size of BB pellets and are usually clustered together.   The presence of these exit holes indicates that the SPBs have matured and left the tree. Another sign of an attack is reddish dust created during the boring of the tree. This dust can be found within the bark scales and on leaves at the base of infected trees. If bark is removed from an infected tree, signature S-shaped egg galleries can be seen on the wood (trunk) surface and in the inner bark.

The mortality of pine trees occurs within 3-4 months of initial attack. Needles falling off the branches land on understory vegetation creating a fuel ladder effect, which facilitates wildfires reaching the tree crowns. Trees that may still have dry dead needles on the branches could quickly erupt and wildfire could grow to conflagration proportions

It is theorized that the late 1990's drought, interstate commerce and above average temperatures occurring in the Mid-Atlantic region have contributed to the SPB migrating northward to New Jersey. The forest environment has been under stress thereby increasing the tree's susceptibility to SPB attack. After establishing a presence in the Garden State, the beetles are capable of spreading through flight while being attracted to other beetles through pheromones and to other trees because of various stresses placed upon the forest. The SPB also senses damaged trees from lightning strikes from which fresh pitch acts as an attractant.

The NJFS deployed traps in strategic locations in the south Jersey area to detect the SPB.  

Digital-Aerial Sketchmapping (D-ASM) has been initiated in conjunction with traditional aerial photographic interpretation to map the existing damage and help to predict the potential spread or decline. Based on the aerial survey the NJ Forest Service is ground truthing detected areas in our southern state parks and forests while gathering information provided by NJ Approved Consulting Foresters and the public. The NJ Forest Fire Service provided aerial support.

If you think you may have the SPB call your consultant forester, NJ Forest Service online at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/ .

Return to Tree Health Alerts >