Large Pine Research Articles

Fire, land cover, and temperature drivers of bat activity in winter

BackgroundUnderstanding the effects of disturbance events, land cover, and weather on wildlife activity is fundamental to wildlife management. Currently, in North America, bats are of high conservation concern due to white-nose syndrome and wind-energy development impact, but the role of fire as a potential additional stressor has received less focus. Although limited, the vast majority of research on bats and fire in the southeastern United States has been conducted during the growing season, thereby creating data gaps for bats in the region relative to overwintering conditions, particularly for non-hibernating species. The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem is an archetypal fire-mediated ecosystem that has been the focus of landscape-level restoration in the Southeast. Although historically fires predominately occurred during the growing season in these systems, dormant-season fire is more widely utilized for easier application and control as a means of habitat management in the region. To assess the impacts of fire and environmental factors on bat activity on Camp Blanding Joint Training Center (CB) in northern Florida, USA, we deployed 34 acoustic detectors across CB and recorded data from 26 February to 3 April 2019, and from 10 December 2019 to 14 January 2020.ResultsWe identified eight bat species native to the region as present at CB. Bat activity was related to the proximity of mesic habitats as well as the presence of pine or deciduous forest types, depending on species morphology (i.e., body size, wing-loading, and echolocation call frequency). Activity for all bat species was influenced positively by either time since fire or mean fire return interval.ConclusionOverall, our results suggested that fire use provides a diverse landscape pattern at CB that maintains mesic, deciduous habitat within the larger pine forest matrix, thereby supporting the diverse bat community at CB during the dormant season and early spring.

Ecology, management and damage by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in coniferous forests within Europe

Abstract Coniferous forests in Europe have a considerable number of pests that attack trees of all ages from youngest up to oldest ones. One of them is the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis. This species is widespread in Europe and occurs from warm southern areas (Spain) up to northern countries (Sweden, Finland). Larvae of this species do not cause damage, they help in the decomposition process of stumps and roots. Adults are harmful as they consume bark of young coniferous seedlings, above all of spruce and pine. One adult can consume on average 75 mm2 of bark per day. Individuals can live up to 4 years, and during their lives they can damage and kill several tens of coniferous seedlings. Traditional chemical protection of seedlings against this pest is and will gradually be more and more restricted or forbidden. In this review, we describe this method as well as all other alternative methods including biological protection. We estimate that H. abietis causes annual damages in Europe of almost 120 million € and damages several tens of thousands of hectares of young forest stands.

Acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, and in some situations the physical barriers MultiPro® or Kvaae® wax, can be alternatives to traditional synthetic pyrethroid insecticides for the protection of young conifers from damage by the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L.

ABSTRACT In UK forestry, the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin have been used for many years to provide protection for young trees from damage by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L. However, concerns over the toxicity of these insecticides has led to a search for alternatives. In our work, applications of 0.037 g.a.i.stem–1 acetamiprid provided high levels of protection from Hylobius browsing, comparable to alpha-cypermethrin or cypermethrin, and without causing phytotoxicity. However, re-application is likely to be required in the second growing season after planting. Our research identified that acetamiprid treated trees can be safely cold stored as part of normal nursery practice. Acetamiprid is less toxic than synthetic pyrethroids. We also found that pre-treating trees with 0.016 g.a.i.stem–1 chlorantraniliprole, a relatively low toxicity insecticide, can be equally effective in protecting trees, and that dye markers can be safely used to help target spays. Our testing of physical barriers such as MultiPro®, and to a lesser extent Kvaae® wax, suggests they may have a role as a partial substitute for the use of insecticides in some circumstances in the UK and Ireland, but only as part of an integrated approach where on-site populations of Hylobius are predicted to be low.

Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings exposed to warming, moderate N addition and bark herbivory by large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)

AimsBiogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) research has been mostly focused on foliar emissions. In this experiment, the main focus was on rhizosphere BVOC emissions of Scots pine seedlings under changing growth conditions.MethodsSoil-growing Scots pines were exposed to increased air (0.5°C) and soil (4.0°C) temperature and N addition (30 kg N ha− 1 yr− 1) for three growing seasons in a field experiment. In addition to these factors, seedlings were exposed to bark herbivory by large pine weevils in two last seasons. Gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry was used for analyzing the BVOC samples collected from pine rhizosphere.ResultsAlmost 98 % of BVOCs were non-oxygenated monoterpenes (nMTs), 1 % oxygenated monoterpenes (oMTs), 0.5 % sesquiterpenes (SQTs), and 1 % other BVOCs. In both years, there was an interaction of warming, N addition and bark herbivory on rhizosphere BVOC emissions. In 2015, warming and N addition in single exposures decreased oMT emissions, while herbivory in single exposure increased oMT emissions. In 2016, the three-way interaction showed that the effects of warming, N addition and herbivory on BVOCs were mainly detected in single exposures. In 2016, warming decreased nMT, oMT, SQT and other BVOC emissions; N addition decreased oMT and SQT emissions; and herbivory decreased SQT and other BVOC emissions.ConclusionsWarming and N addition in single exposures decreased the rhizosphere BVOC emissions. The effect of bark herbivory on BVOC emissions varied between the years from increase to decrease. It seems that under altered growth conditions Scots pine seedlings may reduce carbon investment to rhizosphere BVOCs.

Population Status and Roost Site Selection of Endangered Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in Poonch River Mahasheer National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus; Accipitridae) is a medium-sized scavenger distributed throughout most of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Although the species has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2007 due to rapid population decline, scientific data about the species' population trends and ecology in Pakistan are sparse. The present study was conducted in and around Poonch River Mahasheer National Park (PRMNP) in the northeastern part of Pakistan, covering an area of approximately 146 km2. To monitor populations, we used the line transect method to survey 11 sites once per year from May 2013 to May 2019. Based on monitoring data at all 11 sites, the total number of vultures observed averaged 84 birds annually (n ¼ 7 yr, range ¼ 64–131), with the greatest number observed in 2019. Congregation sites of the vultures were closer to settlements (mean ¼ 239 m) and rivers (mean ¼ 1119 m) than to dump sites (mean ¼ 2975 m), though some roost sites were very near (,200 m) dump sites and roads. Roost sites included large pine (Pinus roxburghii) trees, electric pylons, rocks, and cliffs. To better understand population status and dynamics, we recommend studies extending across a larger area and including surveys of the nesting population.

Spatio-temporal distribution of Hylobius abietis in Scots pine stands \u2013 implications for pest monitoring

The protection of reforested areas against the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis is one of the greatest forest management challenges in many European countries. No information exists on the spatial distribution of this pest, which is necessary to assess its abundance and, consequently, to precisely estimate its threat to reforested sites. The aim of this study was to assess the spatio-temporal changes in the number of H. abietis beetles in reforested clear-cut areas (reforestations) and neighbouring Pinus sylvestris stands, from which these beetles are assumed to migrate to the reforestations. In this two-year study, baited traps were used to catch H. abietis beetles in the reforestations and neighbouring stands. The results revealed significantly more beetles in the neighbouring old stands (61–69 years) than in the young stands (5–11 years). The distribution of the beetles in both the old and young stands was inversely dependent on the distance from the stand edge. The large pine weevil migration to the reforestations was most intense in mid-May and early June. In May, most beetles were collected along the edges of the reforestations; in June, their distribution was more regular; and in July, the beetles were more abundant in the central part of the reforestations. These results allow H. abietis monitoring improvement, which is an important element of integrated forest protection.

Potential of Beauveria bassiana application via a carrier to control the large pine weevil

The large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) is an important pest of freshly planted coniferous trees. Feeding damage to conifer seedlings can be prevented by protecting the seedlings (mechanically or chemically), or by reducing H. abietis abundance. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has promise for H. abietis control. To test the effects of the B. bassiana-colonized carriers (25 mm in diameter and colonized by strain AMEP20) on H. abietis adults that move into forest clearances, we performed several experiments. These included an experiment in Petri dishes under laboratory conditions, an experiment in cages with Norway spruce seedlings under semi-natural conditions, and a field experiment. Infection by B. bassiana and mortality of H. abietis was confirmed in all three experiments. The total mortality rate in all Petri dishes with B. bassiana carriers after 14 days was 74% (80% with fresh carriers; 68% with carriers that had been treated with UV light; 82% for carriers that had been frozen; 45% for adults that were exposed to carriers for only 24 h; and 95% for carriers that had been stored at 4 °C for 2 months). The mortality of H. abietis adults was affected by the absence/presence of carriers in the cages with spruce plants. The number of dead adults after 4 weeks of treatment in forest clearing were higher in plots with carriers than in the control plot. Mortality was highest for adults trapped in the plot with carriers on trap barks (58%), followed by the plot with carriers and an attractant (48%), and followed by the plots with carriers without an attractant (35%).The results suggest that carriers colonized by the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana could be suitable for reducing H. abietis abundance in forests. The results indicated that H. abietis adults may be infected by B. bassiana after only a short exposure to carriers. The B. bassiana-colonized carrier is ready-to-use, i.e., it could be immediately produced and applied.

Ground Layer Microhabitats Influence Recruitment of Longleaf Pine in an Old-growth Pine Savanna

Globally, savanna trees experience bottlenecks to recruitment. Likelihoods are low that juveniles, especially of nonclonal, reseeder species, will survive and reach sizes that survive recurrent fires. We hypothesized if ground layer vegetation within savannas contained patches with reduced fire effects, likelihoods of juvenile trees surviving fires would be increased. We refined our general hypothesis based on a field study in an old-growth southeastern pine savanna of North America, in which longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) is the most abundant tree. We hypothesized that recruitment of pines into the fire-resistant ‘grass stage’ may be more likely in three ground layer microhabitats (inside crowns of fallen pines, around pine tree stumps, and inside patches of oak/hardwood stems) than in surrounding groundcover located away from overstory pines. We measured the composition and abundance of ground layer vegetation and censused juvenile grass stages ( 5 times more likely inside the three microhabitats than in the surrounding ground layer matrix. Recruitment was also more likely in pine than oak/hardwood microhabitats. We propose that altered microhabitats, especially those generated by death of large longleaf pines, likely facilitate recruitment into populations of this reseeding savanna tree.

First record of tree cavity roosting in frosted myotis (Myotis pruinosus)

Frosted myotis (Myotis pruinosus) is a rare and little-known bat, listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Although it inhabits forests and has been suspected to roost in tree cavities, all roosting individuals found to date were in caves. Hereby, I report a discovery of an individual roosting in a tree cavity made by Japanese pygmy woodpecker (Picoides kizuki), in a large pine tree in an old-growth mixed forest in Nikko National Park, Japan. This observation confirms that frosted myotis roosts in tree cavities but does not support the hypothesis that dependence on larger cavities explains the species’ affinity with old-growth forests.

Floristic Diversity of Insular Pine Forests of the Trans-Volga–Kazakh Steppe Province

The insular pine forests of the Trans-Volga–Kazakh province of the Black Sea–Kazakh steppe region have high biodiversity and are relict in nature. The problems of their study and conservation are relevant in the context of increasing anthropogenic impact and climatic changes. A comprehensive analysis was performed for the floristic composition of communities of pine forests from the Burabai, Karkaraly, and Buzuluk national parks, the Naurzum Reserve, the Kanonersky forestry enterprise (south of the Priishimsky altitudinal zone pine forests), the pine forests of the Ilmensky Reserve and the Burlinsky altitudinal zone located in forest–steppe regions near the northern border of the province based on our own field materials and published data. For the first time, the data on the floristic diversity of all large pine forests in the province (the geographical aspect) are summarized in a unified manner. The similarity in the taxonomic, geographical, ecological, morphological, and coenotic structure of the floristic composition of all isolated insular pine forests indicate the presence of historical links and their relic character. The results of the correlation and cluster analysis of floristic lists showed a different degree of similarity between pine forests in different parts of the province in connection with the specific physical and geographical conditions. Three groups of pine forests have been identified: (a) pine forests of the sandy massifs of the Naurzum Reserve and the Kanonersky forestry enterprise, which have the most xerophilic appearance and are poor in composition, with a predominance of steppe species and turf grasses; (b) pine forests of granite massifs of the Kazakh Uplands (Burabay and Karkaraly national parks) with an average species richness; (c) the Buzuluk and Burlinsky pine forests, which occupy the most northern, borderline position in the province, with high floristic diversity and increased participation of forest species.

Are there viable chemical and non-chemical alternatives to the use of conventional insecticides for the protection of young trees from damage by the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L. in UK forestry?

Abstract In UK forestry, the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin have been used for many years to provide protection for young trees planted on restock sites from damage by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L. However, concerns over the toxicity of these insecticides to aquatic life if misused have led to a search for alternative forms of protection. This paper describes a detailed programme of efficacy experiments undertaken between 2009 and 2015 to find replacements for these products. Over 50 combinations of chemical and non-chemical approaches were tested on 16 different sites. Of the alternative synthetic insecticides tested, applications of 0.037 g a.i. stem−1 acetamiprid provided high levels of protection from Hylobius browsing damage on young Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière) trees, without causing any phytotoxic symptoms, and gave comparable levels of protection to those achievable using alpha-cypermethrin or cypermethrin. Acetamiprid is less toxic to aquatic life than alpha-cypermethrin or cypermethrin and has not been linked to bee decline. Applications of 0.0129 g a.i. stem−1 chlorantraniliprole also showed promise, and this relatively low toxicity non-neonicotinoid insecticide merits further study. Although imidacloprid and thiacloprid also provided good levels of protection, their use in forests is not now permitted due to concerns over their potential impacts on bees and drinking water, respectively. Whilst the natural product insecticide spinosad, and the entomopathogenic fungal control agent Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin, gave only limited protection in our work, they may have some future potential if methods of deployment can be improved. Other chemical and non-chemical approaches tested, but found to be largely ineffective in UK conditions, included the natural product insecticides azadirachtin, maltodextrin and pyrethrins, the synthetic insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin and spirotetramat and a wide range of repellents, flexible stem coatings and physical barrier products. However, we conclude that physical barrier sleeves such as MultiPro® and BioSleeve® may have a limited role as a partial substitute for the use of insecticides in the UK in some circumstances, but only if on-site populations of Hylobius are predicted to be low.

Methyl Salicylate and Sesquiterpene Emissions Are Indicative for Aphid Infestation on Scots Pine

Biotic stresses on forest trees are caused by various pest insects and plant pathogens. Attack by these parasites is known to induce the emissions of various biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), and the profile of these emissions often differs between infested and healthy plants. This difference in emission profile can be used for the non-destructive early-stage diagnosis of the stressor organism. We studied how phloem feeding by a large pine aphid (Cinara pinea Mordvilko) on the branch bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) affects BVOC emissions compared to those of healthy plants in two experiments. We found that in aphid-infested plants, methyl salicylate (MeSA) emissions significantly increased, and the emission rates were dependent on aphid density on the studied branch. Aphid infestation did not significantly affect total monoterpene emission, while the emissions of total sesquiterpenes were substantially higher in aphid-infested saplings than in uninfested plants. Sesquiterpene (E, E)-α-farnesene was emitted at increased rates in both experiments, and the aphid alarm pheromone sesquiterpene (E)-β-farnesene, only in the experiment with higher aphid pressure. We conclude that the rapid increase in MeSA emissions is the most reliable indicator of aphid infestation in pine trees together with (E, E)-α-farnesene.

Responses of soil-grown Scots pine seedlings to experimental warming, moderate nitrogen addition and bark herbivory in a three-year field experiment

Increased soil nitrogen (N), warming and bark herbivory all are expected to affect boreal forests in the future. We studied the effects of warming (0.5 °C and 4.0 °C above ambient air and soil temperature, respectively), moderate N addition (30 kg N ha−1 y−1) and bark herbivory by large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) on soil-grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in a three-year (2014–2016) open-air field experiment. Seedling dry mass, root mass fraction (RMF), root morphology, mycorrhizal colonization, mycorrhizal morphotypes, root phenolics and microbial abundance in the rhizosphere area were studied. We observed that both moderate N addition and warming showed interactive effects, and generally improved seedling growth after the three consecutive growing seasons. However, soil dryness was increased due to combined warming and N addition treatment in 2016, and it seemed to limit the shoot growth stimulation as well as increase the dependence of the non-herbivory seedlings on the mycorrhizas. Moderate N addition generally reduced herbivory damage intensity and increased RMF. It also decreased total mycorrhizal colonization rate and increased SRL of the seedlings in 2016, but only in the absence of other factors. In 2016, herbivory affected soil exploration efficiency and mycorrhizal colonization without other factors, and had a tendency to increase root phenolics. There were only minor effects of N addition and herbivory on soil microbial abundances. We conclude that warming and N addition to soil may increase growth in young Scots pine if soil drought or herbivory do not start to limit it; and that in young Scots pine stands moderate bark herbivory are likely to affect roots more than shoots.

Non‐pesticide alternatives for reducing feeding damage caused by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.)

AbstractThe large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) is an important pest of young forest stands in Europe. Larvae develop under the bark of freshly cut pine and spruce stumps, but maturing weevils feed on the bark of coniferous seedlings. Such seedlings frequently die because of bark consumption near the root collar. We tested the effect of three treatments (the insecticide alpha cypermethrin, a wax coating and a glue coating) on the feeding damage caused by H. abietis on Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings under semi‐natural conditions. In two experiments (one in 2016 and another in 2017) seedlings in cages were subjected to pine weevil feeding for 16 weeks under shaded outdoor conditions. The experiment in 2016 compared insecticide and wax treatments and an untreated control on Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and the experiment in 2017 compared insecticide, wax and glue treatments and an untreated control on Norway spruce. In both experiments, all treatments significantly reduced H. abietis feeding damage at week 8 at the end of both experiments (week 16); the effect of treatments was significant only on spruce seedlings. The damages on Douglas fir seedlings was less on treated seedlings than on untreated control seedlings but differences were not significant. Coating stems with glue and especially with wax was generally effective at reducing weevil damage and in most cases provided control that was not significantly different from that provided by insecticide treatment. Our results suggest that a wax coating has the potential to replace the protection of seedlings provided by insecticides.

Does stump removal reduce pine weevil and other damage in Norway spruce regenerations? – Results of a 12-year monitoring period

Although impacts of intensive forest harvesting practices such as removing logging residue and stumps for bioenergy on forest ecosystem has been extensively studied, no information is available about the long-term effects of stump harvesting on the health status of young Norway spruce stands. In the present study, we surveyed damage caused by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) and other causal agents as well as the height growth of the Norway spruce seedlings for 12 years in stump-harvested and non-harvested experimental plots. The overall effect of stump harvesting combined with mounding on the health and survival of spruces was positive: 70% of spruce seedlings in stump-harvested plots were spared any damage, while 58% of seedlings remained undamaged in undisturbed control plots. The positive effect of stump removal and mounding on tree health was mainly due to reduced pine weevil damage. In all, 14.8 and 24.6% of spruce seedlings were gnawed by pine weevil in stump-harvested and control plots, respectively. In stump-harvested plots, pine weevil damage was slighter and lasted for a shorter time than in control plots. In addition, damage caused by Hylastes spp., black root beetles, was significantly less on stump-harvested plots. By contrast, vole damage was most frequent in stump-harvested plots during the population peak when the vole density was exceptionally high. Irrespective of whether stumps were harvested or not, stump roots provided a source of Heterobasidion inoculum in the next spruce regeneration. During this early stage of stand development only a few spruce seedlings were killed by Heterobasidion root rot and there were neither temporal nor quantitative treatment-related differences between the treatments. From the third year onwards the height growth of undamaged seedlings was more rapid in stump-harvested than non-harvested plots. Our results suggest that the overall risk of damage in young Norway spruce stands can be reduced by stump harvesting. Thus, stump harvesting and mounding seem to decrease the need for supplementary planting, which reduces regeneration costs that represent a considerable financial investment for a forest owner.

Hypothesized mechanism of biocontrol against pine wilt disease by the nematophagous fungus Esteya vermicola

Esteya vermicola is an endophytic fungus of pine wood nematode(s) (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and a promising biocontrol agent. However, until now, only the lunate spores of E. vermicola have been demonstrated to be highly effective against pine wilt disease. In the present study, blastospores of E. vermicola were successfully used as a biocontrol agent through injection into large pine trees in Aewol-eup, Jeju, South Korea. When pine trees were injected with a 6–8 mL blastospore suspension of E. vermicola (108 mL−1) 1 month before inoculating them with PWN, 73.77% of the trees remained alive after one year. When injected with blastospores of E. vermicola 2 and 4 weeks after PWN infection, 40% of the trees were saved. As a control, the pine trees inoculated with PWN only all died. Moreover, a hypothesis of the mechanism of biocontrol within the pine tree was proposed based on the population density of PWN over time along with the presence of E. vermicola in the pine tree. The hypothesis involved a cycle that included the growth of E. vermicola without PWN infection, attraction and adhesion to PWN, movement and death of infected PWN, production of a second generation of lunate spores, and attraction of other migratory PWN.

Population Status and Roost Site Selection of Endangered Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in Poonch River Mahasheer National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus; Accipitridae) is a medium-sized scavenger distributed throughout most of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Although the species has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2007 due to rapid population decline, scientific data about the species' population trends and ecology in Pakistan are sparse. The present study was conducted in and around Poonch River Mahasheer National Park (PRMNP) in the northeastern part of Pakistan, covering an area of approximately 146 km2. To monitor populations, we used the line transect method to survey 11 sites once per year from May 2013 to May 2019. Based on monitoring data at all 11 sites, the total number of vultures observed averaged 84 birds annually (n ¼ 7 yr, range ¼ 64–131), with the greatest number observed in 2019. Congregation sites of the vultures were closer to settlements (mean ¼ 239 m) and rivers (mean ¼ 1119 m) than to dump sites (mean ¼ 2975 m), though some roost sites were very near (,200 m) dump sites and roads. Roost sites included large pine (Pinus roxburghii) trees, electric pylons, rocks, and cliffs. To better understand population status and dynamics, we recommend studies extending across a larger area and including surveys of the nesting population.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropinidine Enabled by Concurrent Multienzyme Catalysis and a Biocatalytic Alternative to Krapcho Dealkoxycarbonylation

Dihydropinidine is a piperidine alkaloid found in spruce needles that has shown promising antifeedant activity against the large pine weevil, a widespread and economically relevant pest of conifero...

Multi‐function array SAR system on a spaceborne dual platform

This study proposes a sparse linear array synthetic aperture radar (LASAR) on a spaceborne dual platform. The transmitting elements are placed at the LASAR tips that form a satellite's dual platform, and the receiving elements are placed on the large deformation composite pine which is between the satellite's dual platform. Based on the principle of phase centre of approximation and multiple input multiple output, LASAR with the sparse array could obtain a high-resolution imaging in the cross-along direction, which is crucial to a three-dimensional SAR system. Furthermore, the LASAR system has different modes, such as interferometry and ground moving target indication.

Simple Is Best: Pine Twigs Are Better Than Artificial Lures for Trapping of Pine Weevils in Pitfall Traps

The large pine weevil Hylobius abietis (Linnaeus 1758) is the main pest of coniferous seedlings in Europe and causes substantial damage in areas that have been clear-cut or otherwise disturbed. We compared the efficacy of different attractants for the capture of H. abietis adults in white pitfall traps. The field experiment was performed from mid-April to the end of August 2018 at six plots in Central Europe located in spruce stands that had been clear-cut. At each plot, we compared five attractants: one pine twig with ethanol, Hylodor, alpha-pinene + ethanol, turpentine oil and ethanol (separated), and turpentine oil + ethanol (not separated). Traps without attractant served as a control. Six traps for each attractant or control were distributed at each plot. Of the total number of H. abietis adults trapped, 43.3%, 20.5%, 17.9%, 9.8%, 8.5% and 0.5% were captured in traps with pine twigs with ethanol, alpha-pinene, Hylodor, turpentine, oil + ethanol (separated), turpentine oil + ethanol (combined), and no attractant, respectively. The bottom of each trap contained propylene glycol to kill and preserve beetles. The small number of beetles captured in the control traps confirms that the propylene glycol:water mixture did not influence the trapping of H. abietis. The use of pitfall traps with a suitable attractant (especially pine twigs and ethanol) should be useful for monitoring of H. abietis, because it is simple and cost-effective. The use of such pitfall traps to control H. abietis by mass trapping would require 50 to 100 traps per ha.