The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Seaman on July 17, 2014, 09:09:14 AM

Title: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Seaman on July 17, 2014, 09:09:14 AM
I cut into fresh maple Monday, just to show a customer the saw. This morning I find THIS.
I'm thinking PPB, but I thought they liked dry wood.
Did this critter come out of the log, or is it on it's way in? If on it's way in, I guess I need to spray all around the mill, and all the wood stored.

I am looking for an ID and treatment.

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31118/P7160104%7E0.JPG)
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Seaman on July 17, 2014, 09:50:29 AM
other photos added here 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31118/P7160104%7E1.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31118/P7160105%7E1.JPG)
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Ludo on July 17, 2014, 09:54:26 AM
looks to me like you have Ambrosia beetles.  From the picture I can see the characteristic long dark oval stains on the wood with two or three holes in the center of the stain mark. Almost all of the soft maple I get here in the Northern New Jersey area has it.  Once you sticker it they die (or leave).  On the good side of it, the wood is sought after for tables and bowl blanks. Real pretty!

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/ambrosia-maple/
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: CalebL on July 17, 2014, 10:03:20 AM
Quote from: Seaman on July 17, 2014, 09:09:14 AM
I cut into fresh maple Monday, just to show a customer the saw. This morning I find THIS.
I'm thinking PPB, but I thought they liked dry wood.
Did this critter come out of the log, or is it on it's way in? If on it's way in, I guess I need to spray all around the mill, and all the wood stored.

I am looking for an ID and treatment.

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31118/P7160104%7E0.JPG)

Leave em alone.  They are adding value to your lumber.
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Seaman on July 17, 2014, 10:15:56 AM
Oh yea, if it is the ambrosia beetle I am happy. I was worried about an undesirable.

Frank
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: WDH on July 17, 2014, 08:44:49 PM
Those ambrosia beetles are leaving because the wood has begun to dry.  I see it happen a lot in oak.  I surmise that the drying of the wood accelerates the life cycle of the beetle, prompting the larvae to mature and leave ASAP.  I have recently seen this type of mass exodus in red oak slabs that have been drying only a week or so. 

On my oak that has been sprayed with borate, sometimes I see their remains on the surface of the board/slab.  When they bore out, they get some of the borate for an unexpected lunch.   
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on July 17, 2014, 09:42:32 PM
Quote from: WDH on July 17, 2014, 08:44:49 PM


On my oak that has been sprayed with borate, sometimes I see their remains on the surface of the board/slab.  When they bore out, they get some of the borate for an unexpected lunch.   

Is that like "baiting"?  :)
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Seaman on July 18, 2014, 09:20:44 AM
I am not sure " baiting " is legal in my county. ;D

This makes since, I was afraid it was PPB.
Thanks all for info!
Franlk
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: qbilder on July 19, 2014, 11:53:35 AM
Very attractive maple, BTW  :)
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Tee on July 22, 2014, 10:11:38 AM
Looks like something I may need to ride up and see for myself.
Title: Re: HELP ! Bugs in maple
Post by: Seaman on July 22, 2014, 10:58:32 AM
A local wood-turner came and saw the maple. He made me promise to not cut it untill he showed pictures at his club meeting. May be another good outlet for figured wood. One more egg for the basket hopefully.
Frank