04 December 2020
Towards integrated pest management for pine weevil in Ireland
Managing Pine Weevil Methods and Options’ is a new publication in the Teagasc Farm Forestry Series. It’s a practical guide for professional foresters & forest owners on the most appropriate methods of establishing trees on a reforestation site in the context of weevil damage. Frances McHugh explains
Pictured above at the launch of the pine weevil leaflet; l to r Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, Frauke Fedderwitz, researcher and main author and, Ken Sweeney, Coillte.
This publication is a practical guide for professional foresters and forest owners on the most appropriate methods of establishing trees on a reforestation site in the context of potential damage to trees by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis). Substantial tree plant mortality occurs regularly in Irish conifer reforestation sites. These losses are attributed mainly to damage caused by the large pine weevil as it feeds on the bark of young trees.
Felling a coniferous crop produces a large increase in breeding material for pine weevil. Young trees used for restocking are liable to be heavily attacked by adult pine weevils feeding on the stem from the root collar upwards and this can cause plant death. European estimates indicate that the pine weevil is the most important pest of reforestation sites in Europe.
Integrated Pest Management is the coordinated use of multiple control agents and other control factors in a way that minimises economic, environmental and health risks. All people using plant protection products must adhere to the principles of IPM to minimise the overall levels of plant protection products used.
In the case of pine weevil, silvicultural practices can often avoid damage while chemical protection should only be used when no other possibilities would be successful.
Towards integrated pest management for pine weevil in Ireland
This publication is an output of the project “Towards integrated pest management for pine weevil in Ireland” and was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Competitive Research Funding Programmes with support from Coillte.
The leaflet outlines
- the lifecycle of the pine weevil
- risk factors and methods to decrease the risk of pine weevil damage
- ‘stump hacking’ methodology to monitor risk of damage (including a stump hacking recording form)
- protection methods against damage using Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
The new publication Managing Pine Weevil Methods and Options can be found here (PDF)
Paper copies of the leaflet can be obtained by emailing emer.eagle@teagasc.ie including your postal address.
For all matters Forestry check out https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/