Bark-beetles

The small (1-6 mm long) cylindrical bark-beetles are belonging to the weevils (insects) and attack different parts of trees and other plants.

The most dangerous species in central europe attack trees and lay their eggs under the bark. After hatching, the grubs bore ducts into the bark, pupating at the end of these ducts before leaving as beetles for mating. Certain pheromons of the beetles, necessary for finding partners for mating, are used for biological control. The figure shows an affected area from the Harz mountains.