Bark beetle management after a mass attack - some Swiss experiences

Abstract

In 1990 and 1999, heavy storms accompanied by the worst gales ever recorded in Switzerland, struck Europe and left millions of cubic metres of windthrown Norway spruce trees; this provided breeding material for the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) and led to mass attacks in subsequent years which resulted in the additional loss of millions of cubic meters of standing spruce trees. In addition to the ecological concerns, many forest owners were faced with a difficult financial situation, resulting in a change in strategy that left some storm and bark beetle damaged areas uncleared. Also, logistical issues made it sometimes impossible to remove all of the timber before a new generation of beetles emerged. This situation forced forest services and land-owners to set priorities. To address questions related to developing a new risk assessment, we initiated observation projects about scolytid behaviour occurring in variously threatened storm areas and regions.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings: Ecology, Survey and Management of Forest Insects

Citation

Forster, B.; Meier, F.; Gall, R. 2003. Bark beetle management after a mass attack - some Swiss experiences. In: McManus, Michael L.; Liebhold, Andrew M., eds. Proceedings: Ecology, Survey and Management of Forest Insects; 2002 September 1-5; Krakow, Poland. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-311. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 10-15.