Spruce beetle outbreak
Last updated on January 26, 2024The spruce beetle is native to British Columbia and is regularly seen in forested areas, however, higher-than-normal populations have been recently found in the Omineca region. Spruce beetle the most damaging bark beetle attacking spruce in B.C.
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Guidance around the spruce beetle outbreak
The provincial government is closely monitoring the situation to minimize any impacts on timber supply and forest ecosystems. B.C. is working with forest licensees, forest communities, and first nations to determine ways to mitigate the current outbreak. Although this outbreak is a concern, the situation is not comparable to the spread of the mountain pine beetle in recent decades.
Guidance documents for Spruce Beetle include:
- Chief Forester's Expectations for Prioritization in Response to Spruce Beetle Outbreaks Updated November, 2020 (PDF, 356KB)
- Chief Forester's Expectations for Stand and Landscape-Level Retention for Harvesting in Response to Spruce Beetle Outbreaks - Sept. 9, 2017 (PDF, 1.7MB)
- Interactive Map of the Infestation in Omineca Region
- Hauling and Storage Management Plan (PDF, 127KB)
- Beneficial Management Practices (PDF, 246KB)
- Conventional Trap Trees (PDF, 334KB)
- Guidelines for using Lindgren Funnel Traps (PDF, 514KB)
Forest licensee action plans
Forest licensee action plans are collaborative multi-licensee harvesting plans designed to prioritize harvesting within spruce beetle-impacted stands.
2021
- 2021 Omineca Spruce Beetle Action Plan (PDF, 3.8MB)
- 2021 Prince George Spruce Beetle Action Plan Map (PDF, 28MB)
- 2021 Mackenzie Spruce Beetle Action Plan Map (PDF, 19MB)
- Regional Executive Director Response Letter (PDF, 3.8MB)
2020
- 2020 Omineca Spruce Beetle Action Plan (PDF, 1.9MB)
- 2020 Prince George Spruce Beetle Action Plan Map (PDF, 29MB)
- 2020 Mackenzie Spruce Beetle Action Plan Map (PDF, 13.5MB)
- Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy FRPA Authorities
Monitoring Reports
The provincial government used licensee-submitted timber cruise (timber valuation) data to summarize harvesting activities for spruce beetle infested trees.
Colour: dark brown to black, reddish wing covers
Size: tiny – four to seven millimetres long (about half a centimetre)
Body: hard, stout, cylindrical
Lifespan: one or two years
Destroys: Large-diameter, mature spruces, including Sitka; usually downed trees or debris
Latin name: Dendroctonus rufipennis