The Pine Weevil, Hylobius abietis, is a serious pest and has been recognised as such in Europe for a number of centuries. It is particularly wide-spread in replanted coniferous forestry plantations. Females lay their eggs in stumps of recently cut conifers. Larvae develop below ground in the 'protected' environment of these root-stumps, feeding upon the inner bark. Adults emerge to feed on the stems of replanted seedlings, and because the adults are large relative to seedling trees, a single individual can damage or kill several young plants.
For more information on the Pine Weevil, it's life cycle and the kind of damage it can do to forestry plantations, see:
- Controlling the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, using natural enemies - COFORD Connects Publication
- Large Pine weevil - Teagasc
- Managing Pine Weevil - Methods and Options (Teagasc)
- The influence of a changing climate on development and life cycle in the pine weevil, Hylobius abietis - Daegan Inward, Forest Research, Forestry Commission
- Article on Forest Pests - featured in ITGA newsletter (Autumn 2015)
Biosecurity Guidance:
- Biosecurity - Good working practice for those involved in forestry - Forestry Commission Leaflet
- A DAFM Leaflet entitled 'Forest Health Biosecurity Kit' is available from the Forest Health section of the Forest Service Website.
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