Bugs Flying Around Pine Tree (Why)

Comprehensive Information on ‘Bugs Flying around Pine Tree’

What Types of Insects are Commonly Seen Flying around Pine Trees?

Several types of insects are commonly seen flying around the top of pine trees. These include Cicadas, Pine Sawflies, Bark Beetles, and Chironomid Midges.

1. Cicadas (Order: Homoptera)
2. Physical Description: Large, winged insects with a distinctive body shape.

3. Behavior: Adults rest on pine trees, while nymphs live in the soil and feed on tree roots.

4. Pine Sawflies (Order: Hymenoptera)

5. Physical Description: Adults resemble small wasps, with varying colors depending on the species. Larvae look like small caterpillars.

6. Behavior: Active throughout the growing season, with multiple generations per year. Defoliation is the primary damage caused to pine trees.

7. Bark Beetles (Order: Coleoptera)

8. Physical Description: Small, cylindrical beetles, typically dark brown to black in color.

9. Behavior: Adults burrow into the bark to construct galleries, releasing pheromones to attract more beetles. Larvae develop in the phloem-cambium layer, causing damage to the tree.

10. Chironomid Midges (Order: Diptera)

11. Physical Description: Small, delicate flies often seen in large swarms.
12. Behavior: Form mating swarms, using the tops of trees as markers to maintain coherence. Males display to attract females, which then pair in the air and leave the swarm.

How Can These Insects Harm Pine Trees?

These insects can cause significant harm to pine trees, impacting their health, growth, and longevity:

1. Cicadas: While not directly harmful, cicadas can indicate the presence of aphids, which can favor aphid population increases.
2. Pine Sawflies: Defoliation can lead to tree death if populations are large, winter buds are consumed, or infestations occur consecutively. Young trees are particularly vulnerable.
3. Bark Beetles: Rapid decline and death of infested trees can occur due to girdling action and blue stain fungus. Susceptible trees are often densely stocked, slow-growing, and over-mature.

How Can These Insects be Identified?

Identification can be based on the following features:

1. Color: Bark beetles are dark brown to black, while pine sawflies vary in color by species. Chironomid midges are often difficult to distinguish from other small flies.
2. Behavior: Cicadas rest on trees, while pine sawflies are active throughout the growing season. Bark beetles burrow into the bark, and chironomid midges form mating swarms.
3. Distinguishing Features: Bark beetles have distinctive S-shaped galleries under the bark, while pine sawflies have ovular cocoons on branches or the ground. Chironomid midges are often seen in large swarms.

Reference Links:

1. University of Florida – Southern Pine Beetle: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/southern_pine_beetle.htm
2. USDA – Insects Associated with Ponderosa Pine in Colorado: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_rm/rm_gtr075.pdf
3. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Southern Pine Bark Beetle: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/southern-pine-bark-beetle/