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Katy’s role involves developing insect pest monitoring tools and non-chemical and biological control methods, with research concentrating on three forest pest species: large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), Pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini) and great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans). Katy also plans, manages and runs the breeding programme of predatory beetle (Rhizophagus grandis) at NRS for the biological management of Dendroctonus micans. She is currently undertaking a part-time PhD at the University of Edinburgh on “Enhancing Integrated Pest Management in Forestry”. Her role includes advising on forest entomology and tree health problems in northern Britain and line managing one staff member (Entomological Research Assistant).

Katrina Dainton joined the Entomology team of Forest Research in June 2015, initially working primarily on developing biopesticides and alternative control methods for the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis). Since January 2018 Katrina has also taken on responsibility for developing the Rhizophagus grandis breeding programme at NRS. Prior to working at Forest Research Katrina undertook a short-term surveying and monitoring role with Natural England, having completed an Integrated Pest Management Masters at Harper Adams University in 2014. Alongside her role at FR she is now studying a part-time PhD at the University of Edinburgh.

Affiliations

  • Scientific advisor and member of Pine-tree lappet moth Management Group
  • Member of Royal Entomological Society
  • Honorary Secretary of the Edinburgh Entomological Club
  • Member of British Entomological and Natural History Society
  • Member of Butterfly Conservation
  • Member of Royal Forestry Society
  • Member of Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Research Entomologist
Tree health

NRS

Northern Research Station

Bush Estate

Roslin

Scotland

Related Research

Research

Enhancing Integrated Pest Management in Forestry

How do we manage insect pests in forestry? This PhD project aims to evaluate current science and practise and develop and test new and improved methods in order to enhance integrated pest management in the industry.

Status current
Themes

Related Publications

Publication

The importance of trap type, trap colour and capture liquid for catching Dendrolimus pini and their impact on by-catch of beneficial insects

Monitoring traps for the pine-tree lappet moth were tested to find the most effective trap type and colour combination for adult moth capture.

Published

Other Research

Integrated forest management of Hylobius abietis

Investigating the potential of Integrated Forest Management of Hylobius abietis to reduce chemical inputs.

Management of great spruce bark beetle

An environmentally sound method of pest management to control an alien pest, the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans.

Pine-tree lappet moth

This project is exploring the threat to UK forestry posed by the Pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini) and whether it is an introduced pest species or a previously undiscovered resident.

The threat to UK forestry posed by the Pine-tree lappet moth: life cycle, origin and future risk

Project determining the level of risk to Scots pine and other tree species posed by defoliating caterpillars of the pine-tree lappet moth.

Researcher on following topics:

LWEC BIPESCO: Biological pest control of insect pests that threaten tree health
LWEC PROTREE: Promoting resilience of UK tree species to novel pests and pathogens: ecological and evolutionary solutions
Pine-tree lappet moth surveillance, monitoring, containment and control programme
Integrated forest management of Hylobius abietis
Management of great spruce bark beetle

Responsibilities include:

Experiment planning and management.

Managing biocontrol programme.

Liaison with site managers, contractors, and FR Field teams.

Data management, validation and analysis.

Quality Assurance: Drafting experiment plans and standard operating procedures.

Drafting summary reports and scientific papers.

Providing specialist entomological advice to colleagues and stakeholders.

Providing training.

Knowledge exchange via presentations, reports, and media interviews.

Peer reviewed journal articles

Sukovata, L., Dziuk, A., Parratt, M., Bystrowski, C., Dainton, K., Polaszek, A. and Moore, R. (2020). The importance of trap type, trap colour and capture liquid for catching Dendrolimus pini and their impact on by-catch of beneficial insects. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 22, 319-327. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/afe.12383