European spruce bark beetle

European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus). This dark brown + 5 mm small beetle is found on spruce, but can also be found on other pines and firs. This beetle belongs to the bark beetles (Curculionidae) and is found from Europe to Asia and parts of Africa.
Resin formation keeps the European spruce bark beetle out of the tree, but weakened or storm-damaged trees can be colonized by the European spruce bark beetle. Especially forests in which only Norway spruce (monoculture) is planted can be completely destroyed.
The beetles lay eggs in spring in alcoves perpendicular to the + 10 cm long main tunnel. The larvae from the eggs extend the alcoves into tunnels that are also perpendicular to the main tunnel while eating. This creates the distinctive featherlike pattern. The European spruce bark beetle overwinters as a beetle in the plant litter or in old tunnels in the trunk.
Drought or, on the contrary, too wet areas affect the health of trees and can then fall prey to bark beetles, such as the European spruce bark beetle. Old trees (> 70 years) are also vulnerable to bark beetles.
Infested trees are often cut down to prevent further infestation; however, such an infestation also simply disappears for lack of spruce. In the private garden, the European spruce bark beetle is not likely to occur unless the garden borders a plot of Norway spruce.
European spruce bark beetles betray their presence by yellowish sawdust on the trunk, brown discolored tree tops, loss of needles and bark falling off. The larch bark beetle exhibits the same characteristics in terms of presence.
Woodpeckers love European spruce bark beetles.