Over-winter survival mixed for pine beetle populations

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development press release

Field surveys indicate this past winter brought both good and bad news for the province’s mountain pine beetle populations.

Government of Alberta survey results show moderate to high over-winter survival in most of the pine forests inhabited by beetles. Extremely high beetle success was detected in small pockets in areas south of Grande Prairie, northwest of Edson and west of Manning. There was also a large area surrounding Lesser Slave Lake where beetle success was low.

“Results show beetles continue to survive the winter across much of our pine forests, meaning populations are unlikely to naturally decline in the near future. Aggressive action remains our best option to fight beetle infestations in Alberta.” - Robin Campbell, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Magnified Pine Beetle

Six-million hectares of pine forest in Alberta are susceptible to attacks by mountain pine beetle. Infestations threaten watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat, tourism and recreation values, and the province’s $4-billion forest industry.

Since 2004-05, Alberta has directed over $414 million to the province’s mountain pine beetle program.

Beetle-killed lodgepole pine trees near Grande Prairie

Beetle population surveys were conducted this year between mid-May and mid-June at 100 sites. Surveys involved cutting core samples from trees and comparing the number of dead versus live beetle larvae under the bark.