Evaluation of funnel traps for estimating tree mortality and associated population phase of spruce beetle in Utah

Abstract

Although funnel traps are routinely used to manage bark beetles, little is known regarding the relationship between trap captures of spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) and mortality of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) within a 10 ha block of the trap. Using recursive partitioning tree analyses, rules were developed for predicting spruce mortality and associated levels of beetle population phase (endemic and epidemic), in the current year and subsequent year, for a given level of trap captures. Although model predictions of infested-stem counts had large variances, our results suggest the funnel-trap captures can be reliably used to estimate relative levels of tree mortality, expressed as spruce beetle population phase.

Citation

Hansen, E. Matthew; Bentz, Barbara J.; Munson, A. Steven; Vandygriff, James C.; Turner, David L. 2006. Evaluation of funnel traps for estimating tree mortality and associated population phase of spruce beetle in Utah. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 36: 2574-2584.