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.

This study aimed to develop a semiochemical‐baited trapping system to monitor the populations of small banded pine weevil, Pissodes castaneus, a serious pest in Pinus sylvestris young stands that are weakened by biotic and abiotic factors. The scope of the work included the development of a dispenser for compounds (ethanol and α‐pinene) emitted by P. sylvestris and the pheromones of P. castaneus: grandisol and grandisal. Additionally, the effectiveness of beetle catches in different types of traps (unitrap, cross‐unitrap and long and short pipe traps) baited with a dispenser was assessed. The olfactometric studies showed that most of the newly hatched beetles that had not fed were attracted by a mixture of grandisol and grandisal. However, in the group of feeding beetles, half were attracted by a mixture of ethanol and α‐pinene. These results indicated that both pheromones and α‐pinene plus ethanol should be useful for capturing P. castaneus beetles. In the field trials, the highest efficiency was found in baited unitraps that caught up to several hundred P. castaneus beetles, while the baited cross‐unitraps caught up to a few dozen beetles. No insects were found in either type of baited pipe trap or in any of the unbaited control traps. The baited unitraps and cross‐unitraps also collected, with varied intensity, Hylobius abietis beetles, a serious pest of reforestations. These results indicate the possibility of using a unitrap baited with a 4‐component attractant for monitoring P. castaneus in integrated pest management for the protection of young forests.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of using botanic antifeedants to reduce the damage caused by Melolontha spp. grubs. To achieve the objective, the experiments were established in semi-field conditions to estimate the antifeedant activity of rutin, quercetin (flavonoids from buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum) and an extract from black alder Alnus glutinosa leaves against Melolontha melolontha grubs. The grubs were placed individually in the pots with a soil in which 2 year old Pinus sylvestris trees were planted. The pots were put in garden pavilions placed in the open area. Then the soil in the pots were watered with the emulsions of rutin, quercetin, an extract from A. glutinosa leaves, and with pure water-comparative variant. After 4 months, the weight and mortality of grubs were compared, as well as the weight of tree roots in all pots. There was no effect of the antifeedants on the development and extent of damage caused by M. melolontha grubs. The results do not indicate the use of botanic antifeedants in the protection of forests against the cockchafer grubs

Small banded pine weevil Pissodes castaneus is one of the most dangerous pests of Pinus sylvestris plantations and thickets. The lack of effective and environmentally safe methods of limiting the number of the pest justified to undertake the studies aimed at the laboratory and field evaluation of biological activity of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana used to reduce the numbers of small banded pine weevil.In laboratory, the beetles were reared on the sections of fresh Scots pine twigs that were treated with five suspensions containing from 1 × 10 4 to 1 × 10 8 conidia of B. bassiana in 1 ml. During the 3-week rearing, insect mortality was determined and median lethal concentration LC 50 was calculated. The field treatments consisted of spraying 4-year-old P. sylvestris trees with two formulations of fungus containing 1 × 10 8 conidia ml −1 of suspension. Treatments consisted of spraying 4-year-old P. sylvestris trees with two fungus formulations containing 1 × 10 8 conidia ml −1 . High insecticidal activity of B. bassiana was found because the pathogen caused the death of 14-94% of P. castaneus beetles, LC 50 = 6.51 × 10 5 conidia ml −1. Field treatments did not result in the reduction of plant damage caused by small banded pine weevil; therefore, the spraying of trees with B. bassiana cannot be recommended to protect the young stands of P. sylvestris against pest.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations and thickets damaged by biotic and abiotic factors are particularly attractive to small-banded pine weevil Pissodes castaneus, whose larvae excavate feeding tunnels in the stems of young trees, causing their death. There are no chemical methods that can be applied to protect forest plantations and thickets against this pest. Therefore, the studies were undertaken aimed at the assessment of the efficacy of alpha-cypermethrin used to reduce the numbers of this pest within restock areas. The scope of work included laboratory and field estimation of insecticidal activity of alpha-cypermethrin.In laboratory, the beetles of P. castaneus were reared on P. sylvestris twigs treated with five concentrations of alpha-cypermethrin (0.0001-1%) formulated as Fastac Forest 15 SC. Insect mortality was calculated during 7-day rearing and median lethal concentration LC 50 was calculated. The field treatments consisted of spraying of four-year old Scots pines with the insecticide in concentrations of 2% and 4%.In laboratory conditions, the insecticide used at five different concentrations caused a 7-95% mortality of the beetles (LC 50 = 0.266%), while field sprays resulted in a 1.5-3.5-fold reduction in the colonization of trees and in higher pest mortality rates.The results indicate the possibility of using of alpha-cypermethrin in protecting the forest against P. castaneus and can be the basis for the development of chemical method used in the forestry practice.