Ag News

GFC offers seasonal predictions for southern pine beetle

The onset of summer brings along more insects - and some of them may be setting their sights on Georgia pines. Peak southern pine beetle (SPB) season has returned, and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is helping landowners confront the threat.

One of the tools the agency uses is an annual prediction trapping program. It gauges expected statewide activity of the beetle, whose infestations can pose difficult and expensive problems for forest landowners. While some parts of Georgia struggled with SPB breakouts last year, the agency’s forest health team says this year’s report shows “no surprises.”

“Georgia’s west-central region had a lot of activity last year, and it hasn’t slowed since,” said GFC Forest Health Coordinator Paul McDaniel. “The highest numbers of southern beetles trapped this spring were in Polk and Paulding Counties; Carroll and Dawson were close behind.”

 According to McDaniel, the 2025 survey is very similar to last year’s. Out of 50 traps placed in 50 counties for a six-week period, the west-central region showed the most SPB activity. The report says activity should be low in the southern region of Georgia, and moderate in remaining counties.

While areas impacted by Hurricane Helene are also predicted to be low, another type of beetle could become an issue. The Ips beetle is a native beetle similar to SPB.

“Ips beetle infestations are closely associated with storm damage, said Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health Specialist Mark McClure. “We may experience an increase similar to what we saw following Hurricane Michael.”

The SPB’s natural predator is the clerid beetle. Fortunately, McDaniel said the number of clerids trapped has risen since last year. That indicates a healthier natural balance for 2025. 

Southern pine beetles are native to Georgia and are considered the most destructive type of pine beetle. They can kill large numbers of healthy trees over many acres in a short period of time.

The annual SPB prediction models help guide landowners in management decisions. Southern pine beetles are attracted to stressed trees and stands that are over-stocked or over-mature. Recommendations for healthy forests include techniques such as thinning, prescribed burning, and invasive species control.

The Georgia Forestry Commission monitors locations of beetle spots throughout the year. Routine annual aerial surveys in summer 2025 will be conducted to document and notify landowners of pine beetle activity. Scheduled flights will take place across the state following predetermined flight lines. Aerial surveys can also be conducted by the GFC Air Operations Division during normal flights and any new possible infestations found from these flights will be investigated using ground surveys. All infestations will be reported to landowners, and GFC foresters will work with landowners to limit damage and control infestations.

To read the full 2025 SPB Prediction Report, visit https://gatrees.org/resources/georgia-2025-spb-prediction-trapping-results. 

To learn more about southern pine beetles and services of the GFC, visit https://GaTrees.org.

---

• Categories:

• Tags:

---