Bark beetle responses to vegetation management practices

Abstract

Native tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are a natural component of forest ecosystems. Eradication is neither possible nor desirable and periodic outbreaks will occur as long as susceptible forests and favorable climatic conditions co-exist. Recent changes in forest structure and tree composition by natural processes and management practices have led to increased competition among trees for water, nutrients and growing space thereby increasing tree stress. As trees become stressed, their insect resistance mechanisms are compromised and thus they become more susceptible to bark beetle attack. In this presentation, we reviewed tree and stand factors associated with bark beetle infestations and analyzed the effectiveness of vegetation management practices for mitigating the negative impacts of bark beetles on forest ecosystems. We described the current state of our knowledge and practical application of this knowledge; identified future research needs required to make informed decisions on proposed silvicultural treatments; and discussed ongoing research efforts led by the Western Bark Beetle Research Group. Our discussion concentrated on pine-dominated systems in the western US.

Parent Publication

• The Western Bark Beetle Research Group: a unique collaboration with Forest Health Protection-proceedings of a symposium at the 2007 Society of American Foresters conference

Citation

McMillin, Joel D.; Fettig, Christopher J. 2009. Bark beetle responses to vegetation management practices. In: Hayes, J.L.; Lundquist, J.E., comps 2009. The Western Bark Beetle Research Group: a unique collaboration with Forest Health Protection-proceedings of a symposium at the 2007 Society of American Foresters conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-784. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 25-38