Woodpeckers and the Southern Pine Beetle

James C. Kroll - Associate Professor of Forest Wildlife, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Tex.
Richard N. Connor - Research Wildlife Biologist, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Forest Experiment Station, Wildlife Habitat and Silviculture Labratory, Nacogdoches.
Robert R. Fleet - Research Associate in Forest Wildlife, Stephen F. Austin State University.

U.S.D.A. Combined Forest Pest Research and Development Program Agriculture Handbook No. 564

In 1974 the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated the Combined Forest Pest Research and Development Program, an interagency effort that concentrated on the Douglas-fir tussock moth in the West, on the southern pine beetle in the South, and on the gypsy moth in the Northeast. The work reported in this publication was funded in part by the Program. This handbook is one in a series on the southern pine beetle.

Summary

Woodpeckers are important predators of the southern pine beetle. The greatest control by these birds probably occurs during periods of low beetle populations. Once SPB populations reach epidemic levels, the buffering effect of woodpeckers is reduced. Woodpecker predation can be optimized by modifying current forest management practices. Since woodpeckers do not seem to fly long distances to SPB infestations, stand conditions favorable to nesting and foraging should be maintained in nearby stands. A number of woodpecker management options have been suggested in this booklet. Incorporation of one or more of these in forest management practices would favor woodpecker populations.

[ Contents ]   [ Previous ]   [ Next ]   [ Home ]