Lodgepole pine terminal weevil

Pissodes terminalis

Adults lay eggs in the phloem of the bottom of the current leader. The eggs hatch and the larvae mine the phloem tissue, eventually killing the terminal shoot.

On this page

• Description
• Host tree species
• Life cycle
• Damage symptoms
• Management

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Description

Lodgepole terminal weevil is in the family Curculionidae (weevils or snout beetles) in the order Coleoptera. This weevil damages the tree leader (what's grown in the last year).

Host tree species

• Lodgepole pine

Life cycle

The lodgepole terminal weevil lays its eggs in the newly expanding terminal shoot. In most areas in British Columbia, the lodgepole terminal weevil develops from egg to larva the first summer and from larva to adult the second summer, overwintering in the first year as a larva in the terminal shoot.

Lodgepole terminal weevil has high egg and larval mortality, often with no weevils emerging from an attacked terminal.

Although egg laying by the lodgepole terminal weevil may not result in successful adult emergence, the terminal shoot is usually killed by the larvae mining. 

Damage symptoms

Weevil damage can cause a forked tree. Weevil attack causes growth losses and a reduction in wood quality.

Management 

Active treatment for lodgepole terminal weevil is usually not required.