New Mesoamerican pine beetle described by scientists

A newly-discovered species of tree-killing bark beetle has been described in a new paper. The Mesoamerican adult beetle tends to be somewhat larger than the southern pine beetle, and the holes where they enter the tree's bark exude more resin, producing bigger "pitch tubes." Field observations suggest that the new species attacks trees shortly after southern pine beetle, colonizing the lower trunk and branches. The mesoamerican pine beetle also has a distinct pheromone chemistry and does not respond to traps baited with southern pine beetle lures.

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