Adults, and more recently in September 2009, larvae of pine-tree lappet (Dendrolimus pini), have been captured in various traps in pine forests in Inverness-shire, including Forestry Commission Scotland’s Boblainy Forest.
The finding of larvae provides the first conclusive evidence of a local breeding population, rather than long-distance migrants that have been known to occasionally make their way to Great Britain along the south coast.
Threats posed by Pine Tree Lappet
This species is a serious defoliator of pine and other conifer species in its native range in northern and eastern Europe and Russia, and outbreaks can cover thousands of hectares and last up to eight years before declining. For example, 54,804 hectares of pine were treated against this pest in Poland in 2007, compared with only 2,619 hectares in 2006.
Outbreaks can result in seriously reduced tree growth, tree decline and tree deaths, especially since trees defoliated by this moth become susceptible to other risks such as bark beetles and wood-boring insects.
Potential ecological disruption and habitat reduction
The deaths and weakening of significant numbers of trees would risk serious ecological disruption to the forests and reduced habitat for many other forest-dwelling species such as red squirrels, capercaillie and Scottish crossbill. It would also increase the risk of forest fires from the build up of fuel in the form of excess dead wood.
Some of the species which the moth attacks, particularly Scots pine, lodgepole pine and Sitka spruce, are commercially important in Scotland’s economy, so any significant damage by the moth would also threaten jobs and businesses, particularly in economically fragile rural areas.
Current work
We are working in close collaboration with Butterfly Conservation and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to assess the scale and distribution of the moth. We are currently carrying out DNA analysis to try to determine whether Pine-tree Lappet is an overlooked native species or a recent introduction.
We are also trying to evaluate better the potential risk to Scotland’s forests through climatic mapping and an economic impact assessment.
These data will enable us to determine the most appropriate way of responding to this new threat. We have implemented a Contingency Plan (PDF) and have set up an Outbreak Management Team.
Outbreak Management Team meeting minutes
- 27 Sept 2011 (PDF)
- 18 May 201 (PDF)
- 20 Dec 2010 (PDF)
- 25 Aug 2010 (PDF)
- 4 March 2010 (PDF)
- 15 October 2009 (PDF)
Further information
View further background information and questions about Pine Tree Lappet.
Pine Tree Lappet Pest alert publication
View the Pine Tree Lappet Pest Alert (PDF).
Pest Risk Analysis
A Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) has been prepared and will be kept under review as new information becomes available. View the Pest Risk Analysis (PDF).
