Common name: engraver beetle
Scientific name: Ips sexdentatus
Order: Coleoptera
Affects: Pines
Main season: Spring Summer and autumn
The genus Ips is composed of 36 species that are distributed throughout North America, Europe and Asia. This genus has been introduced into Australia and Africa (Faccoli 2004, Cognato & Sun 2007) and 14 species have spread throughout the Palearctic region (Knizek 2011).
Some of the most invasive species of bark beetles belong to the Ips species. Four species can be found on the Iberian Peninsula, including Ips sexdentatus, which is the largest bark beetle of all European fauna.
This species is sometimes considered aggressive, as it is capable of killing trees in their initial stages of decline, such as Pinus sylvestris, P. radiata, P. nigra and P. pinaster species. Pseudotsuga menziesii and some species of Abies, Picea, Cedrus and Larix have also been cited.
Pine trees attacked by Ips sexdentatus, which show green crowns together with debarked trunks
Pine trees killed by attacks from Ips sexdentatus
This insect produces three generations a year. The females lay their eggs during two or three consecutive terms in every generation, producing several sibling generations.
It is a polygamous species in which the male is pioneer in the colonisation, by boring a hole in the trunk that leads to a chamber where mating takes place (nuptial chamber).
On average, four females enter into each nuptial chamber. After mating, each female excavates a maternal gallery to lay their eggs on both sides. They can lay from 10 to 60 eggs.
Female laying eggs on both sides of the gallery
Ips sexdentatusadults
At the beginning of May, the young adults and nymphs of the first generation can already be observed. When they reach their sexual maturity, they begin looking for new places to lay their eggs. In this way, the second and third generations take place and develop throughout the summer.
The first flight period can last for up to two months, therefore the insect can lay eggs up to three times. This means that various sibling generations are produced, so that larvae and imagoes can be found all year round.
The beginning of the flight period and the number of generations can vary from year to year depending on the temperature. In years with favourable conditions for the insects’ development, a fourth generation can be produced although the population level tends to be lower.
The minimum period of time for an egg to reach adulthood is four weeks, which takes place between mid-July and mid-August.
Pupa and larva
Adult
Ips sexdentatus snormally behaves as a nonaggressive species, attacking recently deceased trees, such as newly chopped down trees; or very damaged trees, for example by fire. Sometimes, it can act as an aggressive species, attacking trees that seem to be healthy but with some signs of decline.
Volcanoes of resin
Entry hole made by Ips sexdentatus
The attacked trees are not easily recognised, except for the sawdust accumulations removed from the galleries that can be observed in some trees. Sometimes, volcanoes of resin appear in fairly healthy trees. When the destruction of the phloem is very advanced, the crowns of the trees begin to turn yellow, becoming easily recognisable amongst the trees that have not been attacked.
This species can also vectorise blue Sapstain fungus such as Ophiostoma or Leptographium (Kirisitis 2004), or other pathogens like Ophiostoma minus and O. ips (Romón et al 2007).
Ips sexdentatus adults inside a gallery
Typical galleries under the bark of a pine tree
In forests CROSSTRAP® MINI should be placed every 20 ha, separated at least 1000 m from each other. In areas less than 20 ha, at least one trap should be placed per stand or forest.
PIn order to surround small circular areas or protect wood stockpiles, use 3 to 10 traps surrounding the area. The traps should be placed in areas with good visibility, such as forest borders, forest trails or fire-breaks. Windy places should be avoided, as the wind complicates the insects’ flight and could damage the traps.
A detection trap system should cover the environmental variability of the monitored forest. As a rule, traps should be placed and active between mid-March and mid-November.
Phenology of Ips sexdentatus
For exhaustive monitoring, the traps should be placed between 100 and 500 metres apart from each other in forest trails, forest borders or fire-breaks.
This means a density of 0.3 to 3 CROSSTRAP® MINI traps per ha. They can also be placed inside the forest, as long as it is not too dense. Dry captures are recommended for exhaustive monitoring using the slippery collection cup with a stainless steel mesh on the base.
Una trampa CROSSTRAP® MINIECONEX IPS SEXDENTATUS 3C 60 DAYS (Code: VA294) pheromone diffusers that should be hang on the trap using the lateral holes of the vanes of the trap.
The diffusers are in a blister pack and packaged in an aluminium sachet with label specifications. They last 60 days in field conditions. Once removed from the packaging, the diffusers need no activation or opening, just placed correctly in the trap.
ECONEX IPS
SEXDENTATUS 3C 60 DAYS 1 UNIT
Aggregation pheromone diffusers for the attraction of both sexes of the species Ips sexdentatus, with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions
Code: UIPHOVA294
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 135/2014
CROSSTRAP® MINI is a state-of-the-art forest trap. This trap has been created through an R + D project (University of Murcia – ECONEX) aimed at developing traps and attractants for forest insects.
The trap consists of a 33 cm diameter polypropylene lid with a central carabiner attached to a steel spring. Two reinforced PVC vanes are held in place by four steel springs in the lid’s upper section. They are used as elements of dynamic suspension, serving as shock absorbers against the force of the wind exerted on the trap, avoiding its breakage in the forest. The vanes are also fixed to the lower part of a 30 cm diameter polypropylene funnel. The collection cup is fixed to the lower part of the funnel by screws.
The vanes, funnel and collection cup are treated with a slippery product that increases the amount of captures considerably and prevents the insects from escaping.
The CROSSTRAP® MINI can last up to 7 years due to its structure and highly resistant components. The unfolded trap measures 33 cm diameter x 100 cm high. Once folded, it is 33 cm diameter x 40 cm high, making its transport easier.
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH WET COLLECTION CUP
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH WET COLLECTION CUP is the latest generation in cross-vane traps to help capture forest pests.
Code: UIPFETA226
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 153/2013
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH DRY COLLECTION CUP
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH DRY COLLECTION CUP is the latest generation in cross-vane traps to help capture forest pests.
Code: UIPFETA204
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 153/2013
The trap can be used with two types of collection cup: CROSSTRAP® WET COLLECTION CUP for wet captures (with liquid), and CROSSTRAP® DRY COLLECTION CUP for live captures (without liquid).
CROSSTRAP® WET COLLECTION CUP has an approximate capacity of 2 litres and it has a drainage in the upper part that avoids filling it up with rainwater. It measures 12.5 cm diameter x 19 cm high and has a slippery product to prevent the captured insects from escaping
CROSSTRAP® WET COLLECTION CUP
Collection cup for wet catches, located at the bottom of CROSSTRAP® traps.
Code: UIPFETA156
CROSSTRAP® DRY COLLECTION CUPS
Collection cup for dry use, or live catches, located at the bottom of CROSSTRAP® traps.
Code: UIPFETA157
CROSSTRAP® DRY COLLECTION CUPS
bottom views
The diffusers must be stored in their original packaging in a cool and dry place and separated from food and drinks.
To preserve the diffusers for long periods of time, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator at 4 o C in which case they will last for 2 years. Or they can be kept in the freezer at -20 o C for 4 years.
ECONEX IPS SEXDENTATUS 3C 60 DAYS
Corrugated cardboard box of 150 units (30 packs of 5 units).
Box size: 0,60 x 0,40 x 0,35 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 16.40 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 0.80 x 0.120 x 0.2 m (length x width x height).
Pallet weight: 335 kg.
Packs of 5 units.
It includes an information leaflet about product use.
Box of 150 units.
(30 packs x 5 units)
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH WET COLLECTION CUP (with slider)
Corrugated cardboard box of 8 units.
Box size: 0.60 x 0.80 x 0.48 m (length x width x height).
Box weight: 11.30 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 8
Pallet size: 0.80 x 1.20 x 2.05 m (ancho x largo x alto).
Pallet weight: 100 kg.
Box of 8 units.
CROSSTRAP® MINI WITH DRY COLLECTION CUP (with slider)
Corrugated cardboard box of 8 units.
Box size: 0.60 x 0.80 x 0.48 m (ancho x largo x alto).
Box weight: 11.30 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 8
Pallet size: 0,80 x 1,20 x 2,05 m (ancho x largo x alto).
Pallet weight: 100 kg.
Box of 8 units.
ECONEX CATALOGUE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR FOREST PESTS
Catalogue in PDF format with 94 pages. It is an essential reference book about the biological behaviours of the main forest insect populations. It also includes ECONEX solutions to solve the problems caused by these insects through the use of traps and specific attractants.
You can download the catalogue by clicking on the image.
IPS SEXDENTATUS 3C 60 DAYS LEAFLET
Leaflet in PDF format that can be downloaded by clicking on the image.
ECONEX LEARNING CENTER
ECONEX puts at your disposal the first open knowledge center that brings together everything necessary to implement pest biocontrol in your crops. We have developed different types of resources to share with you the knowledge we have acquired during our more than 38 years of experience. Each of them is designed to respond, in the best possible way, to different questions related to pheromones, attractants, repellents and insect traps.
To access ECONEX LEARNING CENTER click on the image.
SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. only guarantees the composition, formulation and content of the products, taking responsibility for the direct, immediate and exclusive damages caused in the composition, formulation and content of the products sold. SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will not be held responsible for damages produced by factors beyond the company’s control that have either totally or partially contributed. For instance, the weather conditions, usage or mixing with other products, amongst others. In addition, SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will provide recommendations and information supported by extensive and meticulous research and tests; which must be taken into account by the customer when using the products. The customer will be responsible for any damage caused, in whole or in part, for the total or partial non-observance of the instructions provided. Furthermore, the customer will be responsible for all that is referred to as the performance of the products; which comes from total or partial non-observance of the instructions and information provided by the company.