I planted 15 norway spruce earlier this spring. the leader died on 5 of them. see pics for an example.

is this pine weevil? I cut off the dead leaders and looked for weevil evidence but I don't think I found it. see pics.

for pruning - if I cut the most recent leader all the way back to previous year's leader will it sprout a new leader or do I have to train a lateral?? the laterals are hardening off so not sure I can train them now....