Acanthocinus nodosus (F.) is a common species in the South 
where it breeds in the thick bark of pine logs and dying and re- 
cently killed pines. The adult (fig. 67) is gray with velvety black 
markings and is about 25 mm. long. Male antennae are sometimes 
at least three times the length of the body. Eggs are deposited in 
pits chewed in the bark or in the exit holes of bark beetles. The 
larvae feed in the bark where they often compete with and de- 
stroy bark beetle broods. Pupation occurs in nestlike chambers 
in the bark, near the surface. There is one generation per year. 
Other eastern species include: (1) A. obsoletus (Oliv.)—adults 
are about 10 mm. long. Hosts are recently killed pine and balsam 
fir. (2) A. pusillus (Kirby) —adults are about 10 mm. long. It has 
been reared from wind-thrown and fire-killed red and jack pines, 
balsam fir, and spruce. 
The genus Anoplodera Muls. contains many species of rather 
robust and usually more or less triangular-shaped beetles that are 
nearly always beautifully colored and hairy about the head and 
thorax. They are also quick and active and are usually found on 
flowers. Eggs are laid in crevices of bark or wood in moist loca- 
tions. The larvae feed in the wood for 2 to 8 years, excavating 
extensive galleries they then pack with fibrous frass. Infested 
wood may be reattacked repeatedly until it is completely disinte- 
grated. Poles, cross ties, and other material in contact with the 
ground may be completely destroyed. 
Anoplodera nitens (Forst.) the chestnut-bark borer, breeds in 
thick, moist bark in crotches and at the base of living chestnut 
and oak trees. The adult is velvety black and from 10 to 15 mm. 
long. There are golden-yellow bands on the margins of the thorax 
and on the elytra. Damage is seldom serious although large 
patches of bark are sometimes killed. 
Anoplodera canadensis (Oliv.) breeds in dead pines, spruces, 
hemlock, and sometimes balsam fir in southern Canada and the 
Northern States. Living trees are also attacked occasionally at 
wounds, the larvae boring into the heartwood. The adult is dull 
black with the base of the elytra bright red. The upper surface 
POS 
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j i { COURTESY OF DUKE UNIV. SCH. OF FOREST. 
eee FIGURE 67.—Adult of Acanthocinus 
aN he: Z| nodosus, a pine-bark borer. 
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196 
