Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

The status of I. typographus as a vector of pathogenic fungi to living trees remains unclear, but it is associated with multiple species of ophiostomatoid blue-stain fungus, including some that are pathogenic. 

A comprehensive list of fungal organisms associated with I. typographus, including a diverse assemblage of blue-stain fungi, is published in Kiristis, 2004. The most common blue-stain fungi in Picea abies include Ceratocystiopsis minuta, Endoconidiophora polonica, Graphium fimbriasporum, G. pseudormiticum, Grosmannia penicillate, Ophiostoma ainoae, O. bicolor, O. japonicum, O. piceae, O. piceaperdum, Pesotum piceae and Pesotum spp.

When trapping for woodborers or bark beetles, separate traps with different lure combinations by at least 100 feet. Place traps along forest edges, preferentially where there is less wind.

Attaching lures to traps

IMPORTANT: Do not include lures for other target species in the trap when surveying for this target.

The release rate of this lure is highly temperature-dependent. However, CAPS has listed a conservative length of effectiveness that will be effective for even the warmest weather in the CAPS community.

Signs of I. typographus vary based on the level of infestation. When beetle populations are low, signs may be unnoticeable and will likely be found on recently felled or stressed trees. As populations increase, major signs will be observed and are more likely to be found on healthy trees. 

• In early infestations, signs include: entrance holes (approximately 1/16-1/10 in. in diameter), resin exudate and brownish frass in spruce bark crevices and trunks, dry, dust outside entrance holes), and emergence holes. Maternal galleries underneath the bark may also be observed.
• If I. typographus reaches outbreak levels, damage will be more obvious. During mass attacks, the foliage of heavily infested trees will become yellowish and then reddish-brown and tree mortality may eventually occur. 
• Brood and larval galleries can be observed under the bark and these occur in a species-specific pattern. Egg galleries branching from the main gallery are characteristic of Ips species and often form a Y- or X-shaped pattern. Multiple larval galleries of up to 3 9/16 in. will develop from there.
• In addition, this bark beetle has been associated with ophiostomatoid fungi that cause a distinctive blue staining on the wood.
• Note: Many of these signs and symptoms are caused by multiple bark beetles, including native species. While visual signs of infestation may help find beetles and guide trap placement, visual surveys cannot be used to report negative data

(See the Pest Datasheet for more details and images of infested trees).

A Likelihood of Establishment Map is now available. This survey should only be considered in the states with appropriate conditions and suitable hosts for this insect. The map was produced by the SAFARIS Team. SAFARIS is a modeling framework that enables PPQ to quickly respond to emergencies, efficiently survey for pests, and assess potential pest impacts by collecting critical geospatial data and developing predictive models. SAFARIS is developed and maintained by the NC State University, Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) with support from PPQ PERAL. The SAFARIS team used a likelihood of establishment model for European spruce bark beetle occurrence in the continental United States, that was developed by PPQ PERAL and NCSU CIPM, to support CAPS survey planning. The model predicts the suitability of an area for European spruce bark beetle occurrence based on the likelihood of favorable conditions for the insect occurring using tools and data within SAFARIS. The detailed method used in this assessment is described here.

Surveys should take place when the temperature is above 62°F. Mass flight activity is likely to occur when temperatures are above 68°F.

Trapping surveys are the approved method. Visual surveys are not an approved method and cannot be used to report negative data.

Focus survey efforts on forests where Picea abies is present, especially in pure spruce stands and/or old trees. Forest edges may be preferred by I. typographus. If damaged trees, logs, and other woody debris are observed, especially after a climatic event, these sites should be prioritized. Surveys can also occur in older, weakened or stressed trees of other Picea spp.. 

Surveyors can also place traps in urban areas with suitable hosts (e.g., parks), port environs, wood processing facilities, warehouses, wood recycling locations, and landfills close to woodlands. Placing traps in areas with piled up logs, windthrown stems, or stressed trees may help detect the target species.

See the CAPS Procedures and Techniques page to learn more about storing and preserving bark beetle trap samples.

If adult specimens are collected by hand, they should be preserved in at least 75% ethanol. 

• Key to the world species of Ips (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (lucidcentral.org).
• Screening aid for I. typographus

Ips cembrae, I. nitidus, and I. subelongatus can be easily mistaken for I. typographus, are native to Europe and Asia, and are not present in the United States. All of these species use spruce (Picea spp.) as hosts, but only I. nitidus uses it as a main host. Interactive keys for Ips bark beetles of the world can be found online.

Several Ips species are present in the United States and have spruce (Picea spp.) as the main host. The most common are I. borealis, I. hunteri, I. perturbatus, I. pilifrons, and I. tridens. Ips typographus can be distinguished from these species by the presence of a central tubercle on the frons (front part of head behind mouthparts); however, this character requires a microscope for identification.

The distribution of the Ips spp. mentioned above is as follows: 

• I. borealis infests Picea spp. in Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
• I. hunteri mainly infests Picea pungens (blue spruce) in Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
• I. perturbatus mainly infests Picea glauca (white spruce) in Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana and Washington.
• I. pilifrons infests Picea engelmannii in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
• I. tridens infests Picea spp. in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

 (See the Pest Datasheet for images)