Forest and woodland owners in the Galloway area are being urged to be on the look out for the great spruce bark beetle.
The warning follows the first discovery of the insect pest in Scotland at Forestry Commission Scotland‘s (FCS) Merton Hall woodland near NewtonStewart.
FCS has been surveying its other forests in the vicinity and has since located a further three outbreaks within 10km.
It is now urging woodland owners in the Galloway area to remain vigilant and to thoroughly monitor stands of Norway and Sitka spruce for early signs of attack.
One measure to combat the great spruce bark beetle is to release relatively small numbers of a specific predator called Rhizophagus grandis, which has been found to reduce numbers by 80-90%.
“By releasing a specific predator, we have a very effective way of treating the problem so that there should be no economic disadvantage,” said Roddie Burgess, head of plant health at the Forestry Commission. “I would simply recommend that the guidance is followed as a matter of routine.”
