This 2-page summary from the Evenden lab at the University of Alberta summarizes lab experiments on beetles reared in endemic and epidemic situations. Since most MPB-hit regions in western Canada are, or will soon be, in the endemic phase, these results can be used to update dispersal models and guide MPB management decisions.
Key Findings
- Endemic MPBs fly further (Fig. 2a) and end their flight with similar amounts of fat as epidemic beetles.
- Endemic-reared MPBs are the same size but likely have more fat than epidemic beetles.
- As MPB are or will be in an endemic phase in much of Alberta, dispersal models should be updated.
