Description

Adult

Body length of 11-24 mm and width of 5-7 mm. Elytra are black with numerous yellowish spots that often form transverse yellowish or whitish bands. Lateral parts of pronotum with a few setae and the scutellum typically is yellow. Basal half of elytra has smooth granulation and fine punctuation especially near the humeri (shoulders). Antennae are longer than the body with 5-6 antennomers in males and 3-4 in females.

Larvae

Cylindrical and elongate, reaching 40 mm in length. Larvae have no legs and a small brown head.

Eggs

Yellowish-white in colour and oval. Laid singly in a crevice made by the female and then covered by a jelly-like plug.

Distribution

Europe, the Middle East and Asia

Economic Host(s)

Pine species (Pinus)

Symptoms/Signs

Adults feed on the bark of healthy trees but oviposit on dying or recently felled trees. Newly hatched larvae develop within individual galleries in the phloem before moving into the xylem where they build linear galleries. After pupating adults exit through perfectly round exit holes. Oviposition scars are visible on the bark under which the feeding galleries will be visible if bark is removed. Needles and shoots will show signs of adult grazing and appear dry. Grazing signs may also be visible on young pine cones

Generations:

1-3 (climate dependent)