Our goal is to revise Conophthorus taxonomy, so that semiochemical-based control strategies can be effectively implemented. Pine cone beetles seriously impair regeneration of pine ecosystems following harvest, wildfires, and pest epidemics. Haploxylon pines, which are susceptible to white pine blister rust and depend almost entirely on artificial regeneration, are especially at risk. Genetic resource programs have been developed to ensure reliable supplies of disease-resistant seed to help meet the need for wood products in the face of increasing demands and a reduced forested land base. However, cone beetles often destroy 90% or more of the seed produced in these genetic resource programs. Research is underway to develop Conophthorus behavioral chemicals as monitoring and control tools for integrated pest management programs, but taxonomic uncertainties limit the development and implementation of these control measures. Most Conophthorus beetles are indistinguishable on the basis of morphology. Taxonomists and pest control researchers have hence been forced to rely on surrogates such as geographic location and host association to identify species. However, preliminary evidence from molecular data and pheromone assays does not support the use of these surrogates for making taxonomic determinations. For example, Conophthorus ponderosae infests thirteen Pinus species, but evidence from both field assays of semiochemical response and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence clearly suggest that C. ponderosae consists of several possible species. We therefore propose to develop a molecular phylogenetic scheme to identify cone beetle species. This method will allow pest control researchers to devise better control strategies because (1) the revised Conophthorus species names will facilitate communication among pest control researchers and operators and (2) a phylogeny is a tool that can help identify species and predict beetle production of and response to semiochemicals. For example, the name C. ponderosae will be applied to individuals that share a common ancestor. Thus, they will share diagnostic characters and similar behaviors. Therefore, if a pest control researcher reports the response of C. ponderosae to a particular semiochemical, then other researchers can expect this semiochemical to control other C. ponderosae populations. Time and money is not wasted on semiochemical control that potentially would not effect beetle behavior. At the moment, this scenario is not tenable given the poor state of Conophthorus taxonomy.