Pales weevil is perhaps the most serious insect pest of pine
reproduction in the southeastern United States. Losses in susceptible
areas commonly run 20-25 percent, but exceed 90 percent under
circumstances favoring weevil development. Pales weevil is found
throughout pine-growing regions of eastern United States and Canada.
Feeding has been reported on most coniferous species, and all species of
southern pines appear to be susceptible in varying degrees.
[Illustration: Pitch-eating weevils in the genera _Pachylobius_,
_Hylobius_, and _Pissodes_.]
Adult weevils are attracted by the odor of fresh pine resin, and quickly
invade logging areas. Eggs are laid in lateral roots of fresh pine
stumps, where they hatch in approximately five to ten days. Larvae feed
on the inner-bark tissues of roots. At maturity, larvae usually
construct a chip cocoon in a chamber cut into the wood, and pupate in
the cocoon. On emerging, adults feed on the tender bark of seedlings, or
twigs of trees. The small irregular feeding patches in the bark are
characteristic of weevil damage. Heavy feeding girdles the stem or twig,
causing wilting and eventual death. Newly emerged adult females feed for
approximately one month before laying eggs. Females may lay eggs
sporadically through two growing seasons. The average female lays about
50 eggs in her lifetime. In the South there are two peaks in adult
weevil population each year; the first occurs in the early spring
(March-May) followed by a second somewhat lower peak in July and August.
This insect can be controlled by delaying planting in cut-over areas for
at least nine months, or by treating seedlings with a suitable
insecticide.
[Illustration: Adult pales weevil feeding on seedling.]