Pine Beetle

The survival rate of the mountain pine beetle in southwest Alberta — including the Cochrane area — was the lowest in the province, according to results from mortality surveys released July 7.

But officials warn the fight in this area is not over while regions in the north face increased infestations.

“There are some small pockets of good news on the mountain pine beetle front lines this year, but overall the infestations remain a challenge to Alberta and we must continue our aggressive action to protect forest health in the province,” said Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight in a release.

Populations in the Cochrane area have “declined following both control work and high winter mortality in 2010,” which dropped again in 2011.

While the number of trees attacked by pine beetles is down in the region from past years, the area remains at risk of beetles riding air currents from British Columbia.

Infestations began in southwest Alberta in 2002 and in west-central Alberta in 2006 following a wind-assisted in-flight of the hardy insects from British Columbia.

Pine beetles burrow into pine trees to lay their eggs and over time prevent the tree from feeding itself, eventually killing its host.

The forestry industry is worth $8.3 billion to the Alberta economy.

No related stories.

• Filed under News | You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.