Integrated forest management (IFM) of Hylobius abietis

 

Summary

This programme is investigating the potential of Integrated Forest Management (IFM) to minimise the current emphasis on insecticide applications to protect transplants from feeding damage by Hylobius abietis the principal forestry restocking pest.  The research is looking at alternatives to the traditional insecticide-based approach to plant protection and is seeking to investigate and combine other methods, including changes to forest management practices, to reduce populations and damage by Hylobius; and to predict and rationalise the ‘risk’ to transplanted trees.

Research objectives

The programme aims to co-ordinate, promote and synthesise all aspects of research on the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis. The approach focuses on quantification of the effects of factors known to reduce Hylobius populations and damage and combines them in a practical way to produce compound beneficial effects. IFM as a concept parallels the Integrated crop management (ICM) approach being increasingly adopted in agriculture and the approach uses conventional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the core tool augmented with silvicultural and management techniques to reduce Hylobius damage.

The main objectives of the programme are to improve our understanding of the behaviour, population dynamics and migration of the weevil. Using the knowledge gained thus far a series of major field surveys were started in 2003 to develop a Hylobius Management Support System (MSS) to allow Forest Managers to make more informed decisions to improve restocking practices.

Another major part of the IFM approach is to explore the potential for utilising variation in resistance of Sitka spruce to Hylobius to improve the quality of transplants in relation to their ability to withstand feeding damage.

The ultimate aim is to combine with work on biological control of Hylobius using nematodes to reduce populations below the economic threshold for a given site.

Funders and partners

This research is funded by the Forestry Commission Integrated Forest Management programme.

Part-funding from EU Regional funds under the InterReg IIIA initiative between Wales and Ireland (Welsh European Funding Office).

Forestry Commission policy

To develop sustainable pest management strategies with the particular aim of reducing insecticides (UK Woodland Assurance Standard - UKWAS).

Products

Hylobius Management Support System
A decision support system to help foresters predict and reduce damage and costs due to large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis.

Publications

• Managing the Pine Weevil on Lowland Pine ^(PDF-1900K)
  Forestry Commission Practice Note 14
• Resistance of young conifers to feeding damage by Pine Weevil ^(PDF-786K)
  Foresty Commission Information Note 87
• The assessment of site characteristics as part of a management strategy to reduce damage by Hylobius ^(PDF-145K)
  Forestry Commission Information Note 38
• Managing the threat to restocking posed by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis: the importance of time of felling of spruce stands ^(PDF-34K)
  Forestry Commission Information Note 61
• Developments in the integrated management of pine weevil ^(PDF-371K)
  Forest Research Annual Report 2003-2004

Status

The programme started in April 1999 and is on-going.

Contacts

Resistance of Sitka spruce to Hylobius

Dr David Wainhouse
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey  GU10 4LH

Tel: 01420 22255
Tel direct: 01420 526233 (direct dial)
Fax: 01420 23653
Email: david.wainhouse@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Other topics

Dr Roger Moore
Forest Research
Northern Reseach Station
Roslin, Midlothian  EH25 9SY

Tel: 0131 445 2176
Tel direct: 0131 445 6923 (direct dial)
Fax: 0131 445 5124
Email: roger.moore@forestry.gsi.gov.uk