Extension Spotlight

Ips pini, or the Engraver Beetles are insects that develop in pines and spruces. Ips are everywhere in the United States. They are attracted to pines and spruces under stress from drought, root injury, disease or defoliation.

These insects are not necessarily lethal to the pines and spruces. Attacks can be limited to the tops of trees and large branches. However, Ips can show a uniform needle discoloration and death like the Dendroctonous bark beetles with the blue stain fungi. This can happen but not always.

The adults of this insect are about an eight to a quarter inch long. They are reddish...