Hugh Evans

Hugh has worked on research and management of a wide range of tree pests, both in the UK and internationally. He specialises in Pest Risk Analysis and the threats posed by international movement of pests in trade. As a Fellow of Forest Research he provides expertise on a range of tree health topics, with emphasis on sustainable pest management and prevention of international movement of pests. He retains strong links to the research community in Wales.

Professor Hugh Evans studied zoology at Cardiff University and was awarded a BSc (Hons) in 1970. He then went on to carry out doctoral research at the Hope Department of Entomology, Oxford University under the supervision of the late Professor George Varley. Immediately after completing his DPhil in September 1973, Hugh joined the NERC Institute of Virology, Oxford where he worked on the ecology and practical use of insect pathogenic viruses. He joined Forest Research as Principal Entomologist in February 1984 and was appointed Head of Tree Health Division in June 2004 and Head of Forest Research in Wales in 2009.

Research enquiries on the work being developed and delivered by Forest Research in Wales should be directed to Tom Jenkins, who will address the queries and, where appropriate, follow up with experts within Forest Research as a whole.

Affiliations

Deputy-chair of IUFRO Working Party 7.03.12 Alien Invasive Species and International Trade
Previously Member of EPPO Panel on Quarantine Pests for Forestry
Previously Member of International Forestry Quarantine Research Group
Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society
Member of the British Ecological Society
Editorial Board member for Agricultural and Forest Entomology
Honorary professorship at Aberystwyth University
Previously Chair of Scion Science Advisory Panel (Scion, New Zealand).

BSc, DPhil, FRES

+44 (0)791 700 0234

hugh.evans@forestresearch.gov.uk

Research Fellow

Fellows

Alice Holt

Alice Holt Lodge

Wrecclesham

Farnham

Surrey

Related Research

Research

Range expansion of bark beetles in the genus Ips (ECLIPSE)

Status current

Themes

Tree health

Related Publications

Publication

The threat to UK conifer forests posed by Ips bark beetles

This Report describes the biological and environmental factors that influence attack frequency and severity from Ips bark beetles and assesses strategies for their management, with emphasis on the major threat posed by I. typographus.

Published

Themes

Forest management, Pests and diseases

Other Research

Personal research

As Research Fellow, Hugh continues to work on aspects of research into the health of trees, with particular emphasis on national and international phytosanitary and biosecurity issues. He also works on the integrated management of tree pests, especially using biological control agents. He provides expert consultancy on a range of issues, especially international biosecurity risk assessment and management.

Hugh currently provides the science lead on an Euphresco project dealing with risks to Europe from emerald ash borer and bronze birch borer. See https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/prepsys/. He also works with INIAV in Portugal on risks to pine forests there from pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

He previously coordinated two major projects, part funded by the EU:

Interreg IVA Ireland-Wales programme: IMPACT – Integrated Management of forest Pests Addressing Climate Trends.
Assessment of current and future forest insect threats and development of biological control solutions. Partnered with National University of Ireland, Maynooth and Department of Biology, Swansea University.
Framework 7: REPHRAME – Research Extending Plant Health Risk And Management Evaluation.
This project dealt with the threats posed to Europe by pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and involved 11 partners in 8 countries (Austria, China, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal (2), Spain (2) and UK (2). http://www.rephrame.eu/

Hugh also chaired the EU COST Action FP1002 (PERMIT – Pathway Evaluation and pest Risk Management In Transport) involving 25 COST and 7 non-COST countries. This project examined the many pathways on which pests and pathogens can move internationally and assessed how to manage these pathways to reduce risks.

Peer reviewed journal articles

Main recent publications

Gruffudd,H.R., Jenkins,T.A.R. & Evans,H.F. (2016) Using an evapo-transpiration model (ETpN) to predict the risk and expression of symptoms of pine wilt disease (PWD) across Europe. Biological Invasions, 1-18.

Greenfield,B.P.J., Peace,A., Evans,H., Dudley,E., Ansari,M.A. & Butt,T.M. (2015) Identification of Metarhizium strains highly efficacious against Aedes, Anopheles and Culex larvae. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 25, 487-502.

Leather,S.R., Baumgart,E.A., Evans,H.F. & Quicke,D.L.J. (2014) Seeing the trees for the wood – beech (Fagus sylvatica) decay fungal volatiles influence the structure of saproxylic beetle communities. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 7, 314-326.

Hawes,C., Evans,H.F. & Stewart,A.J.A. (2013) Interference competition, not predation, explains the negative association between wood ants (Formica rufa) and abundance of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Ecological Entomology, 38, 315-322.

Sousa, E., Naves, P., Bonifacio, L., Henriques, J., Inacio, L. & Evans, H. (2011). Risks of pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, transfer between wood packaging simulating assembled pallets in service. EPPO Bulletin, 41 In Press

Sousa, E., Naves, P., Bonifacio, L., Inacio, L., Henriques, J. & Evans,H. (2011). Survival of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Monochamus galloprovincialis in pine branches and wood packaging material. EPPO Bulletin, 41, 203-207.

Allard, G., Britton, K., Moore, M., Abuelnaga, H.A., Allen, E., Burgess, R., Evans, H.F., Iede, E.T., Lee, S.S., Lum, K., Olembo, S.A.H., Orlinski, A., Sathyapala, S., Sela, S., Uzunovic, A. & Zak, B. (2010). Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry. FAO Paper 164, 118 pp.

Evans, H.F. (2010). Pest risk analysis – organisms or pathways? New Zealand Journal of Forest Research 40, S35-S44

Evans,S., Evans,H.F. & Ikegami,M. (2008). Modeling PWN-Induced Wilt Expression: A Mechanistic Approach. Pine Wilt Disease: A Worldwide Threat to Forest Ecosystems (eds M. Mota & P. Vieira), pp. 259-278. Springer.

Evans, H.F. (2008). Increasing global trade and climate change: co-factors increasing the international movement and establishment of forest pests ^(PDF-1470K). Proceedings of IUFRO Alien Invasive Species and International Trade meeting, May 2008.

Evans, H.F. (2007). ISPM15 treatments and residual bark: how much bark matters in relation to founder populations of bark and wood boring beetles? In Alien Invasive Species and International Trade, eds H. F. Evans & T. Oszako, pp. 149-155. Forest Research Institute, Warsaw.

Evans, H.F. (2007). Biological Control of Invasive Forest Insect Pests in Britain. Proceedings of the International Workshop on Biological Control of Invasive Species of Forests. Beijing, P. R. China, Sept 20-25, 2007

Williams,D.T. & Evans,H.F. (2007). A preliminary investigation into the potential use of a hydrocyclone to concentrate entomopathogenic nematodes from suspension. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 17, 155-169.

Cory, J.S. & Evans, H.F. (2007). Viruses. In L.A. Lacey & H.K. Kaya (eds.), Field manual of techniques in invertebrate pathology: Application and evaluation of pathogens for control of insects and other invertebrate pests, 2nd edition. Dordrecht, Springer Scientific Publishers, p. 149-174.

Evans, H.F. (2007). IPPC Standards: a means of enhancing forest protection globally. Does practice match expectation? FAO Conference on Forestry No 18, Rome, March 2007

Evans, H.F. (2007). Making sense of current and future issues in international plant protection: communication, cooperation and collaboration for forest health. FAO Conference on Forestry No 18, Rome, March 2007

Evans, H.F. (2007). Coordination and contribution to Final Technical Report to EU on FP5 Project QLK5-CT-2002-00672, Development of improved pest risk analysis techniques for quarantine pests, using pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in Portugal as a model system. 245 pages.

Evans, H.F., Evans, S. and Ikegami, M. (2006). Development of a new risk assessment procedure for pinewood nematode in Europe. Proceedings 17th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species. Ed Gottschalk, K. pp 35-38

Evans, H.F., Tilbury, C.A., Ho, E., Ferrans, J. & Rafique, S. (2005). A novel software-based tool to verify and predict heat treatment times for packaging wood in compliance with ISPM 15. International Workshop on Implementation of ISPM15, Guidelines for Regulation Wood Packaging Material in International Trade. Vancouver, Canada. February 28 – March 4.

Evans, H.F., Evans, S. and Ikegami, M. (2005). Progress in the EU project PHRAME concerning risk models for pinewood nematode in Europe. EPPO Conference on Phytophthora ramorum and other forest pests. Falmouth, Cornwall.

Evans, H.F. (2005). European forest pests ready to hitchhike to America. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, USA, December 2005.

Haack, R., Cavey, J. & Evans, H. (2005). Wood Packing Material (WPM): Associated Pest Risk and Worldwide Response. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, USA, December 2005.

Ho, E., Evans, H.F. & McNulty, G. (2005). Energy Efficient Kilns. Final Report to Carbon Trust Project 2002-12-84-1-5. 25 pages.

Evans, H.F., Wainhouse, D. and Fielding, N. (2004). Biological Cruise Missile – beetle versus beetle in forest protection. Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2004, 2pp.

Cannon, R.J.C., Koerper, D., Ashby, S., Baker, R., Bartlett, P.W., Brookes, G., Burgess, R., Cheek, S., Evans, H.F., Hammon, R., Head, J., Nettleton, G., Robinson, J., Slawson, D., Taylor, M.C., Tilbury, C.A. & Ward, M. (2004). Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, outbreak in northeast London, 1995-2003. International Journal of Pest Management, 50, 259-273.

Evans, H.F. (2004). The Control Window Approach for Optimizing the Use of Biopesticides. International Symposium on Biopesticides for Developing Countries (eds U. Roettger & R. Muschler), pp. 29-36. Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigavion y Ensenanza, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Evans, H.F. (2004). What are Biopesticides? International Symposium on Biopesticides for Developing Countries (eds U. Roettger & R. Muschler), pp. 9-14. Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigavion y Ensenanza, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Evans, H.F. (2004). Invasion potential of bark and wood-boring beetles: how many are needed to establish a pioneer population? International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, August 2004

Evans, H.F., Moraal, L.G. & Pajares, J.A. (2004). Biology, ecology and economic importance of Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees in Europe, a Synthesis (eds F. Lieutier, K. R. Day, A. Battisti, J. C. Gregoire & H. F. Evans), pp. 447-474. Kluwer, Dordrecht.

Evans, H.F., Straw, N. & Tilbury, C. (2004). Horse chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella, in Europe. IUFRO Working Party meeting on ‘Forest diversity and resistance to native and exotic pest insects’, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.

Evans, H.F., Evans, S. and Ikegami, M. (2004). Do we understand how pinewood nematode kills trees? Some hypotheses. IUFRO Working Party meeting on ‘Forest diversity and resistance to native and exotic pest insects’, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.

Gregoire, J.C. & Evans, H.F. (2004). Damage and control of BAWBILT organisms, an overview. Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees in Europe, a Synthesis (eds F. Lieutier, K. R. Day, A. Battisti, J. C. Gregoire & H. F. Evans), pp. 19-37. Kluwer, Dordrecht.

Lieutier, F., Day, K.R., Battisti, A., Gregoire, J.C. & Evans, H.F. (2004). Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees in Europe, a Synthesis. Kluwer, Dortrecht.

Willoughby, I., Evans, H., Gibbs, J., Pepper, H., Gregory, S., Dewar, J., Nisbet, T., Pratt, J., McKay, H., Siddons, R., Mayle, B., Heritage, S., Ferris, R. & Trout, R. (2004). Reducing pesticide use in forestry: practice guide. Forestry Commission.

Evans, H.F. & Fielding, N.J. (2003). Contribution to Final Report FAIR CT98 4259 New Quarantine Treatments for Horticulture and Timber Products as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Fumigation, Chapter 3,Composting of Bark and Wood Chips, 34 pages

Evans, H.F., Ho, E. & Peacock, D. (2003). Contribution to Final Report FAIR CT98 4259 New Quarantine Treatments for Horticulture and Timber Products as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Fumigation Chapter 5, Heat Treatment of Timber, 19 pages

Gilbert, M., Fielding, N., Evans, H.F. & Gregoire, J.C. (2003). Spatial pattern of invading Dendroctonus micans (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) populations in the United Kingdom. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 33, 712-725.

Macleod, A., Evans, H.F. & Baker, R.H.A. (2003). The establishment potential of Anoplophora glabripennis in Europe. Nachrichtenblatt des Deutschen Pflanzenschutzdienstes, 55, 83-84.

Tilbury, C. & Evans, H.F. (2003). Contribution to Final Report FAIR CT98 4259 New Quarantine Treatments for Horticulture and Timber Products as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Fumigation, Chapter 5, Development of Thermal Indicator System, 18 pages

Webber, J. & Evans, H. (2003). Pests and Diseases. Forest Research Annual Report and Accounts 2001-2002, 17-27.

Evans, H.F. (2002). Globalization and Forest Pests: Europe. Forest Pest Management Forum 2002, Ottawa, Canada, November 2002.

Evans, H. F. (2002). Environmental impact of Bt exudates from roots of genetically modified plants. Defra Contract report: 130 pages EPG 1/5/156.

Evans, H. & Webber, J. (2002). Pests and diseases. Forest Research Annual Report and Accounts 2000-2001, 12-23.

Evans, H., Straw, N. & Watt, A. (2002). Climate change: implications for insect pests. Forestry Commission Bulletin, 99-118.

Hawes, C., Stewart, A.J.A. & Evans, H.F. (2002). The impact of wood ants (Formica rufa) on the distribution and abundance of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Scots pine plantation. Oecologia, 131, 612-619.

Macleod,A., Evans,H.F. & Baker,R.H.A. (2002). An analysis of pest risk from an Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) to hardwood trees in the European community. Crop Protection, 21, 635-645.

Evans, H.F. (2001). Management of pest threats. The Forests Handbook. Volume 2. Applying Forest Science for Sustainable Management (ed J. Evans), pp. 172-201. Blackwell, Oxford.

Evans, H.F., Baker, R.H.A. & McLeod, A. (2001). Evaluating the risk of invasion by potential forest pests. Proceedings of the IUFRO World Congress Division 7, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (eds R. I. Alfaro & A. Liebhold), pp. 55-67. IUFRO, Vienna.

Evans, H.F. (2001). Biological interactions and disturbance: Invertebrates. The Forests Handbook. Volume 1. An Overview of Forest Science (ed J. Evans), pp. 128-153. Blackwell, Oxford.

Hicks, B.J., Barbour, D.A., Evans, H.F., Heritage, S.G., Leather, S.R., Milne, R. & Watt, A.D. (2001). The history and control of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea (D. & S.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Scotland from 1976 to 2000. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 3, 161-168.

Sudheendrakumar, V.V., Evans, H.F., Varma, R.V., Sajeev, T.V., Mohanadas, K. & Sathyakumar, K.V. (2001). Management of the teak defoliator, Hyblaea puera using baculovirus within a Control Window concept. Tropical forestry research: challenges in the new millennium. Proceedings of the International Symposium, Peechi, India, 2-4 August 2000. (eds R. V. Varma, K. V. Bhat, E. M. Muralidharan & J. K. Sharma), pp. 106-114. Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi.

Evans, H.F. (2000). Viruses. Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology: Application and evaluation of pathogens for control of insects and other invertebrate pests (eds L. A. Lacey & H. Kaya), pp. 179-208. Kluwer, Dordrecht.

Evans, H.F. & Jukes, M.R. (2000). The role of niche availability as a factor determining the diversity and abundance of invertebrates on Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris. Investigacion Agraria, Sistemas y Recursos Forestales: Fuera de Serie, 273-295.

Gibbs, J. & Evans, H. (2000). Pests and diseases. Forest Research Annual Report and Accounts 1999-2000, 9-15.

Ozanne, C.M.P., Speight, M.R., Hambler, C. & Evans, H.F. (2000). Isolated trees and forest patches: patterns in canopy arthropod abundance and diversity in Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Forest Ecology and Management, 137, 53-63.