European Spruce Bark Beetle

Blog European Spruce Bark Beetle

by Wilson Tree Surgery | 1st Feb 2022

We’ve had to deal with many different disease outbreaks over the years – Dutch Elm disease, Ash Dieback and now a hairy little 8-toothed critter called the European Spruce Bark Beetle is here!

Although the beetle mainly prefers dead or weakened spruce trees (and other conifers), if their numbers increase it may result in attacks on healthy trees.  If left uncontrolled the beetle could cause significant damage to the UK’s forestry and timber industries.

The first outbreak in the UK was recorded in 2018 in the south of England and several further outbreaks in Kent and Sussex in 2021.

The Forestry Commission is conducting enhanced surveillance to try and stem the spread and hopefully eradicate this destructive bug.  If you suspect an outbreak – look for individual dead trees or groups of them.  If the tree is infested you’ll see a linear pattern made by the females laying their egg.

Photo credit: Milan Zubrik, FRI Slovakia, Bugwood.org

Help the Forestry Commission by reporting any suspected sightings in Great Britain using Tree Alert