University of Alberta Museums Search

Common NameSmaller european elm bark beetle. SeasonalityOverwintering generations will emerge as adults in June or July, while their progeny will emerge either in August and September, or overwinter. Some of the adults that emerge in August and September may breed and giving rise to another generation of overwintering larval individuals (Bright 1976). IdentificationAdults can be about 2.2 - 3.0mm long and are reddish brown in colour. Both males and females will have a cylindrical and narrow spine arising from the anterior edge of the 2rd abdominal sternite (Bright 1976, LaBonte et. al. 2003). Teeth are usually present on the posterior-lateral margins of the 2nd to 4th abdominal sternites (LaBonte et. al. 2003).

Common NameSpruce engraver. SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from May to August. IdentificationAdults may be 2.4 to 3.3 mm long and are shiny black in colour. The frons is flattened and depressed in between the eyes (Bright 1976). The second sternite is not concaved and rises vertically to meet the elytra. In both males and females, there is a median spine arising in the center of the 2nd abdominal sternite (i.e. base of spine does not touch the anterior or posterior margin of 2nd sternite) (Bright 1976).

Common NameShothole borer. SeasonalityAdults may be found all summer long (depending on growth conditions) but activities generally peak from April to June. If conditions allow for three generations, first adult emergence is usually in March, followed by another in May, and a last one in June (Bright 1976). IdentificationAdults may be completely black, or black with a bit of a red margin around the edges, or reddish brown. Frons are flatten (more so in males) and the ventral abdominal stenites slope up gently to meet the elytra (LaBonte et. al. 2003). They can be around 1.8 to 2.4 mm long (Bright 1976). This species of Scolytus do not have a spine on its abdominal sternites (LaBonte et. al. 2003).

Common NameHemlock engraver. SeasonalityAdult S. tsugae may usually present from May to early September, with peak activity late June and July (McMullen & Atkins 1959, Bright 1976). IdentificationThe adults of these beetles may be 2.8 to 3.5 m long, with a black body (Bright 1976). In males, the frons is generally flat or slightly convex with course articulation. Females, on the other hand, have frons that is convex with finer articulation (Bright 1976).

Common NameDouglas-fir engraver SeasonalityAdults emerge from late June to August, but some adults have been noted to have emerged in May (possibly due to favourable developmental conditions). IdentificationAdult 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).

Common NameFir engraver SeasonalityAdult may be seen from June to September with peak activities in July and August (Bright 1976). IdentificationAdults are around 3.3 - 4.3mm in length (Bright 1976). The body is generally black or reddish brown. In both males and females, the second sternite is produced anteriorly (weaker in the females) and only the males have an acute tubercle on the posterior margin of the 2nd sternite (Bright 1976, LaBonte et. al. 2003).