Aerial and ground surveys in the woodlands surrounding the port of Grangemouth conducted by Scottish Forestry's tree health team and and expert entomologists from Forest Research have revealed no evidence of a wider breeding population of Ips typographus. Spruce tree canopy surveys will continue throughout the winter season.

The Ips typographus beetle has had a damaging effect on spruce trees across mainland Europe, and a beetle was found in a trap in woodland close to Grangemouth in September 2023 (there are breeding populations in the South of England).

Absence of breeding populations is clearly good news for Scotland's forestry sector and the wider natural environment.

Further information on this new can be found on the Scottish Forestry website.