Southern pine beetles are frequently associated with the black turpentine beetles and the Ips beetles, less aggressive pine bark beetles common in Florida.

Initial attacks begin in weakened, injured, or dying trees but as beetle populations grow, they become capable of invading healthy trees. The female adult bores into the host tree's bark and begins constructing galleries in the phloem. The female gives off an odor and this odor, combined with the smell of resin from the host tree, attracts males and more females to the tree. This mass attack can easily overcome a tree's defense system. The beetles mate and females continue making their S-shaped galleries where they deposit their eggs. The eggs hatch and larvae emerge to feed on inner phloem and make their own galleries. Larvae tunnel towards the outer bark and enter the pupae stage. Immature adults emerge from the pupae stage and their bodies harden and darken. Finally, the beetles create an exit tunnel through the outer bark and fly to another tree to attack.

Host trees are damaged by the galleries created by the adults and larvae. The insects also introduce a fungus into the tree where they attack. This fungus discolors the xylem (blue stain) and aids the beetle in hastening the tree's death.