In 1989 and 1990, after the egg-laying period of the white pine weevil,Pissodes strobi(Peck), infested leaders of white pine,Pinus strobusL., were harvested in a young plantation. To test the influence of bark quality modification on weevil development, leaders were set directly into water or kept dry. The number of insects emerging per leader and the adult mean weight of the weevils were measured for leaders exposed to both treatments. During the second year, the data were also collected on weevil development in the field. Results show that the white pine weevil can complete its development on cut leaders. However, the dry treatment significantly reduced the mean weight and the number of weevils when compared with the wet treatment. The number of insects emerging per leader was less affected by treatment than was the adult mean weight.