What is a typical symptom associated with Ips bark beetle?

A typical symptom associated with the Ips bark beetle is the presence of dime-sized, whitish or reddish-brown globs of resin. This is a response from the tree to the attack of the beetle, where the tree attempts to "pitch" out the invading pests by secreting resin. The size and color of these resin globs can vary, but they are significant indicators of an Ips bark beetle infestation. This resin flow is a defensive mechanism, and when beetles puncture the bark and bore into the tree, the tree produces more resin in an attempt to expel them.

In contrast, pitch tubes, while also associated with certain bark beetles, are more typically linked to the activities of species like the Mountain Pine Beetle rather than Ips beetles specifically. The presence of frass on leaves is more indicative of foliar pests and not characteristic of bark beetle damage. Finally, deformed growth in tree branches results from various stresses, but it is not a hallmark symptom of Ips bark beetle infestation. In summary, the production of resin globs is a key identifying feature of damage caused by Ips bark beetles.