Discovery of pest in UK raises fears for Sitka spruce, which accounts for half of country’s commercial plantations

A beetle that has previously devastated Norway spruce populations across continental Europe has been found to be equally attracted to the Sitka spruce, a finding experts say could have significant implications for commercial forestry.

The eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle has now been found in the UK, raising fears for the Sitka, which accounts for a quarter of Britain’s forest cover and half its commercial forestry plantations.

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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/17/tree-killing-beetle-found-to-be-attracted-to-britain-most-common-spruce