Bork beetle in Rhineland-Palatinate: Is the big crush now coming?

Bork beetle in Rhineland-Palatinate: Is the big crush now coming?

In Rhineland-Palatinate, a massive swarm of bark beetles (IPS typography) is imminent. Wolf Hoffmann from the central office of the forest administration points out that warm weather is a prerequisite for the swarm. This year, swarm activity has so far remained comparatively low, especially compared to the previous year, when high fishing numbers were recorded. In April 2024, up to 920 beetles per trap in Prüm were observed in the higher altitudes of the Eifel, while four -digit values ​​per trap were registered in the Palatinate Forest and Hunsrück. The highlight was the Merzalben location with 4,840 beetles.

In contrast, the current catch numbers show that the beetles this year are mainly in double -digit areas, with a maximum of 39 beetles per case at the same location. So far, brown drilling flour has only been found on spruce tree trunks in the Palatinate Forest, and the first generation of beetles has not yet been used in the Hunsrück. The book printer monitoring 2025 shows that the beetles are active, but swarm activity is less than expected. The number of generations of beetles that could occur this year remains unclear and depends heavily on the weather conditions.

economic and ecological consequences

bark beetles are a serious threat that entails both ecological and economic consequences. Intensive monitoring is carried out by traps and observation trees in order to document the infestation and spread of these pests. This knowledge is included in the advice of forest owners in Baden-Württemberg. In addition to the book printer, the main actors also include the engraver and the crooked fir bark beetle. The extent of the forest damage depends on environmental factors such as the climate, and increasing temperatures promote the development of many pests.

Currently, phenology and risk models are being developed that enable a daily risk assessment of the book printer infestation. Such models help to better prioritize and adapt monitoring and management measures. This also includes models for other damage -relevant species such as the oak processionary spinner to take suitable regulatory measures.

global perspective and other developments

The effects of the bark beetle are not limited to Europe. The “Mountain Pine Beetle” continues to spread in North America. It was not until 2003 that the beetles managed to overcome the Rocky Mountains, which led to an infestation of föhren in Alberta. Experts warn that a large-scale infestation of the "Jack" pine could lead to the spread of the bark beetle to the Atlantic, especially when climate warming progresses. Despite seasonal cold slumps, which were able to decimate some populations, the infestation in the southwest of Alberta remains high.

The "Whitebark" pine, which was previously largely protected from the bark beetle, is now also affected. This tree species plays a central role in the ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains, and the loss could have dramatic consequences for the local animal species, which are dependent on the seeds of the "Whitebark" pine. It remains unclear what role these bark beetles played historically in these ecosystems.