Dendroctonus Valens

Dendroctonus valens is a species of bark beetle that is native to North America. It is one of the most destructive pests of coniferous trees in the western United States, causing millions of dollars in damage each year. The beetles attack and kill living trees by boring into the bark and feeding on the inner layers of the tree. This feeding activity disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, ultimately leading to its death. Dendroctonus valens are small insects, typically less than 5 mm in length. They are dark brown or black in coloration and have a hard exoskeleton. Adult beetles can fly, but they typically only travel short distances from their host tree. Females lay their eggs under the bark of infested trees, where they hatch into larvae that feed on the inner layers of wood. The larvae go through several molts before pupating and emerging as adults. Dendroctonus valens has a one-year life cycle, although multiple generations can occur per year under favorable conditions.”