Trachypteris picta

Jewel beetle Trachypteris picta

Foto: Forest Protection Station in Varna, Bulgaria

Trachypteris picta, a jewel beetle from the Buprestidae family, develops under the bark of weakened or recently dead broadleaf trees, particularly poplars and willows. Larvae create winding galleries under the bark, up to 15 cm long, filled with frass. Adult beetles feed on leaves and young shoots. The species prefers sunny stands and is especially harmful to young plantations established from cuttings. It can also attack older trees weakened by drought or other agents. The pest occurs in southeastern Europe, parts of Central Asia, and southwestern Siberia. When populations are high, the species may not only reduce the aesthetic quality of trees but it can contribute seriously to their overall health decline.

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Symptom

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On thin stems, larval galleries cluster in tangled masses under the bark; adult feeding causes notches on leaf edges and damage to petioles and shoots. Beetles sitting on the stems.

Tree Species: Poplar, Willow

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk, Branch

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Pest group: Insect

Affected part of wood: Sapwood

Depth of damages: Bark, Under bark only, Up to 0,5 cm depth

The extent of damage: Whole trunk

Prevalence in Europe: Common

Damaged products: Firewood, Fresh timber logs (water still in the sapwood), Lumber, boards and prisms, Wooden house constructions

Roundwood size: Branches and twigs, Diameter from 10 up to 50 cm, Diameter up to 10 cm