We are now in the season for identifying heather beetle outbreaks. The Priority Issues section of the HT website has information about what to look for.
Early indications are that 2017 may be a bad year for heather damage (or a good year for heather beetle). In the last week, we have received reports of outbreaks in Caithness, Powys and the north of England. There are concerns that the outbreaks in the north of England may be especially bad this year.
Please may I ask all owners and managers of moorland to keep look out for heather beetle damage and to complete the survey form if an area of damage is identified?
It would also be helpful, if those who have reported heather beetle damage in the past, could let us know if they are now heather beetle free.
All the information we collect will help us to develop a case to justify funding for more research that is needed to get to the bottom of heather beetle - what causes the population blooms that can be so devastating, and how can we manage moorland to reduce the chances of large scale outbreaks?
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