| title: |
Biological control of pine weevils (Hylobius spp.) in forestry |
| reg no: |
ETF6781 |
| project type: |
Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
4.3. Sylviculture, Forestry
|
| status: |
accepted |
| institution: |
Estonian University of Life Sciences |
| head of project: |
Ivar Sibul |
| duration: |
01.01.2006 - 31.12.2009 |
| description: |
The pine weevils (Hylobius spp.) are one of the most dangerous insect pests in the coniferous forests of the entire temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, especially in the areas of clear cuttings and rapid reforestation with coniferous seedlings. In large numbers, the pine weevils are capable of completely destroying the reforestation seedlings planted at clear cut areas, causing considerable economic losses. Partial or full restrictions in use of chemical insecticides in forests by many EU member states encourage to find new alternative control measures and methods in order to replace the previously used synthetic pesticides to control the pine weevils. The damage caused by the pine weevils in forest plantations and their abundance in felling areas can be reduced by using various biopesticides and natural enemies. The objective of the research project is to study the effect of various biopreparations on feeding behaviour and physiology of the pine weevils as well as to establish the interaction between the pine weevils and their main natural enemies, and on the basis of the acquired data to introduce new sustainable integrated methods for forest protection and models of concepts for pine weevils control. |