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Scientific Name Scolytus unispinosus Common Name Douglas-fir engraver Habitat

These beetles mostly target Pseudotsuga spp. (Douglas-firs) but may also be found on Abies spp. (firs) (Bright 1976). They are most commonly found in brightly lit sections of the trees and also where the bark layer is…

These beetles mostly target Pseudotsuga spp. (Douglas-firs) but may also be found on Abies spp. (firs) (Bright 1976). They are most commonly found in brightly lit sections of the trees and also where the bark layer is relatively thin.

Read More + Seasonality Adults emerge from late June to August, but some adults have been noted to have emerged in May (possibly due to favourable developmental conditions). Identification

Adult beetles are 2.6 to 3.5 mm long with black stout bodies (Bright 1976). In both males and females, the abdominal sternite is not concaved, but rather ascends vertically to meet the elytra (which extend over the…

Adult beetles are 2.6 to 3.5 mm long with black stout bodies (Bright 1976). In both males and females, the abdominal sternite is not concaved, but rather ascends vertically to meet the elytra (which extend over the abdomen) (Bright 1976). A median tubercle may be found on the 2nd sternite and the base of the tubercle is joined with the posterior margin of sternite 2 (Bright 1976, LaBonte et. al. 2003).

Read More + Life History

Females will create galleries in the wood and may lay up to 60 eggs in each gallery. Upon hatching in mid-June to July, the larvae will feed on the wood of host trees, creating feeding galleries that extend from the…

Females will create galleries in the wood and may lay up to 60 eggs in each gallery. Upon hatching in mid-June to July, the larvae will feed on the wood of host trees, creating feeding galleries that extend from the parental galleries (Bright 1976). Pupation occurs just below the bark. This species of bark beetle will overwinter and only one generation is produced in a single year (Bright 1976).

Read More + Conservation N. A. Diet Info

Adult S. unispinosus will attack tree limbs that are in brightly-lit areas and where bark layer is thin. As a result, these beetles generally target smaller branches or twigs. Larvae will feed on woody tissue in the…

Adult S. unispinosus will attack tree limbs that are in brightly-lit areas and where bark layer is thin. As a result, these beetles generally target smaller branches or twigs. Larvae will feed on woody tissue in the host trees.

Read More + Range Scolytus unispinosus may be found mostly in southern British Columbia and Alberta, as well are the western parts of the USA (Bright 1976). Notes Scolytus unispinosus is considered a secondary (or non-aggressive) bark beetle as adults only attack severely drought-weakened or dead trees (McMullen & Atkins 1962).