Why is it important that SPB-infested trees be treated as soon as possible?
• The southern pine beetle at times is an exception to the general rule that bark beetles are generally scavengers of dead or severely weakened trees. When populations are high, this species will mass attack and kill trees that otherwise would live for many additional years. Because this species can develop from egg to reproducing adult in as little as four weeks, we have relatively little time to detect an infested tree and keep the brood from dispersing to colonize new trees.
