Poplar Borer

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Location: Cochrane, AB
Date: Jun. 26,  2005

                        

Photos:

Common Name:  Poplar Borer, Roundheaded Poplar Borer

Latin Name:  Saperda calcarata
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Length:   20 - 30 mm

Range: Alberta

Habitat:  Various

Time of year seen: June to August

Larvae Infest: Trembling Aspen, Balsam Poplar,
                           Cottonwood and Willow

Other: The poplar borer is primarily a pest of trembling aspen.  The life cycle of the poplar borer ranges from 3 to 5 years.  The larva spend the first 3 years feeding on the inner bark and later the heartwood of the tree.  The mature larva are ~40mm in length.  Pupation occurs early in the fourth year with the emergence of the adults from June to July.   Trees infested with poplar borer larva typically have 1/4 to 3/8 inch diameter holes on the outside of their trunks.  The trees bleed large amounts of reddish brown sap from these holes.  The larva also eject sawdust as they bore into the tree.  Trees that have been previously damaged by poplar borer may have circular black scars on their trunks.  (Ives et al, 1988)