This insect is a primary pest of Eastern white pine although many other pines are attacked, especially in the South.
The adult overwinters in litter on the forest floor. In July the adult lays pearly white eggs in the inner bark of freshly cut pine logs. The eggs hatch in about 2 weeks. The larvae are white, have no legs, and are slightly longer than the adult.
The new brood of adults emerges from pupation in September and generally cause their most serious damage to young trees at that time. Feeding is usually at night or at the sheltered base of seedling during daylight.
The first evidence of attack is the withered seedling. Pales weevils are usually a pest in cut-over or burned-over pine lands. Waiting one year after cutting before planting seedlings is a recommended practice.
