With the beginning of the new vegetation period, the State Specialized Forest Protection Enterprise "Kharkivlisozakhyst" has resumed monitoring the population status of harmful insects - the top and six-toothed bark beetles, ash bark beetle and May beetle using pheromone, window and light traps.
Reference: "Pheromone traps are designed to attract insects and butterflies using specific scents characteristic only to representatives of a particular species. Beneficial and non-harmful insects do not get caught in the trap. The traps are easy to use and can be used multiple times. The trap also serves as an indicator that helps determine the beginning of the pest breeding season."
Specialists of "Kharkivlisozakhyst" have installed pheromone and window traps in the centers of stem pests located in the stands of Babayivske Forestry of SE "Zhovtneve Forestry" of Kharkiv Regional Forestry Management, and a light trap has been installed on the territory of the forest protection enterprise.
Pheromone and window traps are used to track the flight of stem pests, while the light trap helps monitor the spread of May beetles. The obtained data is used to compile a forecast of forest pest reproduction.
According to the results of monitoring ash stands, in recent years there has been a catastrophic deterioration in the sanitary condition of tree stands due to damage by stem pests, particularly the ash bark beetle. To determine the development rates and spread of bark beetles, permanent monitoring sites have been established.
Control over the spread of harmful insects in the forest is continuous. The monitoring helps identify pest outbreaks in time and take appropriate measures to protect forest stands from mass damage. The collected data allows specialists to predict the development of pest populations and plan protective measures for the current season.
