[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Parasitic nematodes might work as a control agent. (Steinernamatid Spp) Possibly parasitic wasps. They both parasitize grubs. Some parasitic nematodes will move around and look for prey. They Deposit their eggs in the grub, they hatch, the grub is eaten from the inside. They don't hurt animals or humans. Pine beetles are listed as a target population. (This variety of nematodes also take care of cut worms, white grubs and mole crickets too.) Unlike pesticides, which cant get inside the trunk, and has to be periodically reapplied, these biological controls reproduce as long as the food supply exists.

For a picture and information:

http://www.biologicco.com/orgpage.htm

and

http://www.vintagerosery.com/bugs.htm

[OKSooner]

Later reference.

[george76]

Wow.

Will Parasitic nematodes work as a control agent for millions of trees ?

Forester is good at this stuff.

.

[Carry_Okie]

Interesting post, thank you. I do have a few questions though.

AFIK, there is no such thing as a biocontrol that destroys its host. It can reduce an infestation, but will help only if the trees are capable of fighting back. Given the usual USFS ridiculous stand density, it is unlikely that these trees are in very good condition. Is that the case in this instance?

I didn't note from the article, but are these Afghan pine beetles? If they are, they should be eradicated if possible, not merely treated.

Thinning the forest can reduce the water competition that seriously degrades the sap flow that the tree uses to defend itself from beetle attack. I note you didn't mention that. Why not? Wouldn't a selective thinning, removal of infested trees, and low-temperature burn help the trees fight back?

Finally, one would need an enormous count of these worms to do serious damage to an advanced infestation (which, because of the bureaucratic delay inherent to government forest management, this probably is), isn't what you are describing more appropriate to preventative and early treatment rather than an advanced case?

Thanks.