The government’s eradication programme has now wiped out the spruce bark beetle from all outbreak sites in England that were identified in 2021.

Known as Ips typographus, the eight-toothed killer beetle has been a problem for spruce trees in Europe and was first identified in the UK in 2018. 

Attacking majorly stressed or dying trees, the beetle can also attack healthy trees under the right conditions. 

After three years of monitoring 13 outbreak sites for beetle presence, the forestry commission has been gathering data and regular surveillance to determine eradication and prevent breeding. 

Dr Anna Brown, forestry commission director of forest services comments:

“The success of our eradication and monitoring programme shows that we are managing to keep this pest from establishing in England, but this takes a huge amount of effort and the continued support of the woodland and forestry sector.”

If left unmanaged, the pest could put an estimated 725,000 hectares of spruce at risk of infestation and therefore damage. 

Whilst the pest has been eradicated as of 1 September, the government still urges landowners and land managers to be vigilant and report any sightings via Tree Alert.