here. - Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Me r r I t t tSa
Bark Beetles
Mountain pine beetle populations continued to decline, with red attack area down from 32,737 hectares in 2011
and nearly 100,000 hectares in 2010, to just 8,850 hectares in 2012. This population collapse is due to a combination
of host depletion and salvage harvesting in the lower elevation stands that are more suited for reproductive
success. Much of the remaining mature lodgepole pine is at higher elevations where brood success has been poor.
Most of the new red attack was mapped in the south and southeast portions of the TSA, around Siwash Creek,
Red Creek, McNulty Creek, and Whipsaw Creek. Tree fade was later than normal in 2012 due to the cool wet
spring, particularly in the higher elevation areas.
Western balsam bark beetle activity increased substantially
in the Granite Creek, Whipsaw Creek, and
Lodestone Mountain areas. Total area affected in the
TSA nearly tripled, from 2011 levels of 3,200 hectares,
to 9,220 hectares in 2012.
Populations of spruce beetle appear to be increasing as
well, with new tree mortality recorded on 871 hectares,
up from 385 hectares in 2011. Most of the affected
stands are in high elevation drainages in the Pasayten
River, Placer Creek, and Belgie Creek area.
Douglas-fir beetle activity remained at historically low
levels in the Merritt TSA, with red attack recorded in
five patches totaling 71 hectares, and 49 spot infestations.
The most concentrated attack was east of Chapperon
Lake and in the upper Nicola River area.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Kamloops, B.C.
20
Mountain pine beetle
salvage harvesting near
Pennask Lake, Merritt TSA.
Western spruce budworm field trip,
August 2012, Merritt TSA.