Boo 
F-514141, 514140 
FIGURE 77.—The pine reproduction weevils: A, top, pitch-eating weevil (p. 
217), middle, pales weevil (p. 218), and bottom, deodar weevil (p. 212); 
B, adult pales weevil feeding on bark of pine seedling. 
Prior to 1940 when it was first observed damaging pine repro- 
duction in North Carolina (42), the pales weevil was a pest of 
importance only in the Northeast. Since then, it has developed 
into one of the most destructive insects in cutover pine lands in 
the South. The first evidence of its attack is a series of small holes 
or pits made in the bark by feeding adults. On lightly infested 
trees these holes fill with oleoresin and heal over. Continued feed- 
ing causes the damaged areas to merge (fig. 76 B). Heavy feeding 
results in the girdling and death of seedlings up to one-half inch 
in diameter. During fall feeding, the adults may feed on the 
terminals and twigs. On large trees, damage is not serious, al- 
though the ends of damaged branches may be killed. In contrast, 
small trees in nurseries and plantations, as well as natural repro- 
duction, are severely damaged or killed. Damage in Christmas 
tree plantations is also severe. The girdling and killing of the 
lower branches of residual trees makes them unfit for the Christ- 
mas tree trade. 
Damage to young pines planted in cut-over or disturbed pine 
lands in the South can be reduced by planting only in areas cut 
over or disturbed before July. In the North, the waiting period 
should be 2 years. Where stands are to be established by direct 
seeding in the South, seeding should be delayed for one year. 
Before seedlings are planted on recently cut-over pine lands, on 
areas adjacent to recent cutting or site preparation, or in places 
where trees have been killed by fires or other disturbances, they 
should first be chemically treated (6&3). 
214 
