Fir Engraver Beetle tracks

Description:

Natures art! These beetle tracks are made by the Fir engraver beetle. They seek out distressed fir trees in western North America. Pics 3 and 4 show the presence of red-brown boring dust in the crevices, another sign of the Fir Engraver Beetle.

Habitat:

Spotted on a Douglas fir tree and its bark that had been recently cut down next to a large wetland area in western King County, Washington.

Notes:

I assume this tree was cut down because it was dead and was in close proximity to a road. It also was in close proximity to a large wetland and was probably exposed to high winds. The reason for the tree's sickness is not known but I can only assume it was the close proximity to the wetland and wind exposure. The beetles will search out distressed trees and will simply finish them off.