Management strategies for bark beetles in conifer forests

Abstract

Several species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are capable of causing significant amounts of tree mortality in conifer forests throughout much of the world. In most cases, these events are part of the ecology of conifer forests and positively influence many ecological processes, but the economic and social implications can be significant.  Several tactics are available to manage bark beetle infestations and to reduce associated levels of tree mortality.  Direct control involves short-term tactics designed to address current infestations by manipulating beetle populations, and typically includes the use of fire, insecticides, semiochemicals, sanitation harvests, or a combination of these treatments.  Indirect control is preventive, and designed to reduce the probability and severity of future infestations within treated areas by manipulating stand, forest and/or landscape conditions by reducing the number of susceptible hosts through thinning, prescribed burning, and/or altering age classes and species composition. The purpose of this chapter is to synthesize information related to the management of bark beetles in conifer forests. 

Citation

Fettig, Christopher J.; Hilszczański, Jacek . 2015. Management strategies for bark beetles in conifer forests. In: Vega, F.E.; Hofstetter, R.W., eds. Bark Beetles: Biology and Ecology of Native and Invasive Species. London: Springer: 555-584.