White Pine Weevil
Pissodes strobi
This record describes Pissodes strobi (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae are yellowish-white, legless, and slightly longer than the adult.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Molytinae
- Tribe
- Lymantini
- Genus
- Pissodes (Conifer Weevils)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
NA, transcontinental (NS-BC south to GA & CA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: preferred hosts are eastern white pine and various spruces; occasionally attack other pines and rarely Douglas-fir ( 3 )
Life History
Overwinter as adults in the litter Eggs are laid in small punctures in the bark and hatch in 7-10 days. Young larvae bore downward side by side in a ring, feeding on the inner bark and outer wood. In late summer, they pupate in chambers formed within the wood or pith. Adults appear in 10-15 days.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pissodes strobi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of White Pine Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About White Pine Weevil
What is White Pine Weevil?
White Pine Weevil (Pissodes strobi) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is White Pine Weevil?
5-8 mm
How do you identify White Pine Weevil?
Larvae are yellowish-white, legless, and slightly longer than the adult.
Where is White Pine Weevil found?
Range: NA, transcontinental (NS-BC south to GA & CA)
What does White Pine Weevil eat?
The diet of the White Pine Weevil includes preferred hosts are eastern white pine and various spruces; occasionally attack other pines and rarely Douglas-fir ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a White Pine Weevil?
Overwinter as adults in the litter Eggs are laid in small punctures in the bark and hatch in 7-10 days. Young larvae bore downward side by side in a ring, feeding on the inner bark and outer wood. In late summer, they pupate in chambers formed within the wood or pith. Adults appear in 10-15 days.