Native Elm Bark Beetle Control

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Mark E. Ascerno and Robert P. Wawrzynski

The native elm bark beetle (Hylurgopinus rufipes) is a serious pest of American, Siberian, and red elms throughout Minnesota. While it occurs along with the smaller European elm bark beetle (Scolytus multistriatus) in the southern one-third of the state, it is normally the exclusive vector of Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma (Ceratocystis ) ulmi, in the northern two-thirds of Minnesota.

Identification: Adult -Brownish-black, about 1/8" (2–3.5 mm.) long and body is covered with short, stiff, yellow hairs; the wings (elytra) are deeply pitted (Figure 1).

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