The eastern larch beetle, another threat to our forests (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

Isolated infestations of Dendroctonus simplex have been reported in North America for >100 yr. Historically, this species has been considered a secondary pest of tamarack Larix laricina, infesting only weakened or recently felled host material, but recent widespread outbreaks of this bark beetle in NE North America and Alaska suggest that the species can be a primary killer of trees. Over 1.4 million m3 of tamarack was killed in the Atlantic provinces of Canada from 1976-1986. -from Authors