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Species Scolytus multistriatus - Smaller European Elm Bark Beetle

Dutch Elm Weevil - Scolytus multistriatus

3022754 Scolytinae - Scolytus multistriatus

Scolytus maybe multistriatus. - Scolytus multistriatus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga

No Taxon (Series Cucujiformia)

Superfamily Curculionoidea

Family Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)

Subfamily Scolytinae (Bark and Ambrosia Beetles)

Tribe Scolytini

Genus Scolytus

Species multistriatus (Smaller European Elm Bark Beetle)

Explanation of Names

Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham 1802)

Size

2.2-3.0 mm

Identification

prominent spine on abdominal segment 2 separates S. multistriatus from S. rugulosus, the only other hardwood-infesting western scolytid. (UBC Forestry)

Range

adventive to the New World, mostly e. NA to Calif. to Argentina / Europe (common), n. Africa, Asia, Australia - Map (1)(2)

Food

Elms (Ulmus spp., Ulmaceae)(1)

Life Cycle

Overwinter as larvae under bark(3)

Adults construct galleries 1-2" in length in the inner bark, grooving the surface of the wood, parallel to the grain. Eggs are deposited in niches along the gallery sides. The larvae feed, angling away from the gallery. The form cells in the bark for pupation.(3)

Life cycle in spring and summer can be completed in 35-40 days with 2 generations per year.(3)

Remarks

A vector of Dutch elm disease

earliest record in our area: MA 1909(4)

Their gallery is typically unbranched and runs parallel to the grain; this distinguishes from the native elm bark beetles (Hylurgopinus rufipes) which is a Y-shaped gallery.

Internet References

Bark and Ambrosia Beetles(1)

Fact sheet (anon. 2011) - Canada(5)

Works Cited

1.	Atkinson T.H. (200_‒2023) Bark and ambrosia beetles of the Americas

2.	Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

3.	Eastern Forest Insects Whiteford L. Baker. 1972. U.S. Department of Agriculture · Forest Service.

4.	Exotic bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in the United States: potential and current invaders Haack R.A., Rabaglia R.J. 2013. In: Potential invasive pests of agricultural crops. Peña J.E., ed. CABI International, Wallingford, UK, pp. 48‒74.

5.	Forest invasive alien species (Canadian Forest Service)

Contributed by Jim McClarin on 22 December, 2006 - 6:28pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, ghanley1, Mike Quinn, ceiseman, v belov, onegunah, Marci Hess
Last updated 18 October, 2025 - 11:29pm

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