Pine Weevil Field Studies

Here are a few photographs taken from a recent research field trip with Dr. Minshad Ansari to the Tywi Forest in Wales to study the problem forestry pest Hylobius Abietis, or Pine Weevil as it is more commonly known.

The problem faced by woodland managers is the pests preferred habitat. Generally speaking Hylobius feeds on coniferous trees and where these trees are mature the damage caused is usually negligible. However, when the trees are felled the weevils preferred breeding site is the stump of the felled tree.

The adults feed and mate above ground on the surrounding mature trees and then begin to burrow into the bark of the felled stumps to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae and they begin to feed on the decaying stump. Eventually they pupate and then emerge as adult weevils.

The Economic Cost

Seedlings which are not protected against Pine Weevil could suffer overall plantation losses of up to 45%. In Poland Pine Weevil infestation affects over 10000ha of forest plantations and the total cost of seedling replacement is an estimated to be 5 million Euros.

Rainbow Professional are working alongside several key partners to develop new and unique products and programs to reduce the damage caused by Hylobius infestations.

Through collaboration and knowledge sharing we pragmatically develop solutions which are beneficial to different marketplaces from Thrips in Turkey to Pine Weevil in Poland and soil dwelling Chafer Grubs in Golf Courses to Vine Weevils in Vineyards.

Rainbow Professional Ltd are a plastics manufacturer predominantly producing products for forestry, horticulture and landscape markets. Combining our manufacturing expertise with that of our partners involved in ecologically and environmentally conscientious processes and directives paves the way for some very exciting developments which we are proud to be involved with, and all of which is produced right here in Great Britain!

Biorational pest control is a new avenue of development for Rainbow and we look forward to sharing more of our progress with our industry clients and partners.

For more details on the project please see the Natural Resources Wales web page here: https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/news-and-events/news/major-drive-to-beat-the-pine-weevil/?lang=en ?