DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Survey was conducted in three subdivisions of Murree Forest Division to find out the causes and extent of damage of blue pine forest. The result revealed that the top dried shoots and twigs of trees were infested by two bark beetles, Ips longifolia and Scolytus major belonging to the family Scolytidae, order Coleoptera. Feeding on the cambium of the tender branches, the pest infested blue pine in a range of 5-8% in Municiple Forest Division, 2-5% in Lower Topa and 3-7% in Sehrbagla Sub Divisions. Long droughts and warm winter followed by early spring helped these beetles to build up their population, particularly on exposed aspect and attacked even the green healthy trees.