Hylastes

Hylastes is a genus of crenulate bark beetles in the family Curculionidae. thumb|Hylastes opacus

== Ecology == Hylastes is one of the most common genus of bark beetle observed in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Members of this genus are potentially vectors (primarily Hylastes nigrinus) for fungal species of the genus Leptographium (L. terebrantis and L. serpens). They allow for these fungi to spread into the roots of the loblolly pine trees causing high rates of mortality. This is currently considered an emerging forest health issue in the southeastern region of the United States.