The Southern Pine Beetle

Preface

In 1973, two chronic forest insect problems, the gypsy moth in the Northeast and the southern pine beetle in the South, were severe. The tussock moth outbreak in the Pacific Northwest was climaxing that year as well. The extensive damage caused by these three insects caused national concern. In August 1973, the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research, and Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, requested that four agricultural agencies — the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS), and the Forest Service (FS) — develop coordinated short-term programs to reduce damage caused by the three pests. The appropriation bill was signed by the President in August 1974. The heads of these four agencies plus four knowledgeable administrators from research and user groups made up the program board, which participated in the planning and reviewed annual plans of work and budgets. The three-pest program — termed USDA combined Forest Pest Research and Development Program (CFPP) — was coordinated from the Office of the Secretary.

The transfer of technological information acquired during the three CFPP programs was of major concern to this office. Program managers were directed to plan for the most effective means of communicating this knowledge to the planners and managers who needed it. This compendium is one method chosen to accomplish this task; it is the result of the efforts of many scientists from the Department of Agriculture, universities, and State agencies. Although it does not contain all the answers to the southern pine beetle problem, it does explain known methods of control. Equally important, this work defines continuing research and development needs essential to improve further the methods of coping with this periodically destructive insect. The quality and amount of sound and useful information presented in this compendium demonstrate the value of cooperative research by Federal, State, and university scientists and forest pest managers representing a variety of disciplines and experience. Such research must continue if we are ultimately to provide truly effective protection to our forest resources.

Ned Bayley
Acting Assistant Secretary for
Conservation, Research, and Education

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