The final SPB detection flights are completed for this year with very few surprises. As predicted, southern pine beetle (SPB) activity is still rather low compared to previous years, but detected spots did increase during the August/September flight period. Compared to the June/July flight period, this one has 14 more counties with SPB infestation. Also during this flight period, there is an increase of 157 detected spots with 2,575 more infested trees. Even though these are significant increases, the SPB infestation is still traditionally low.

The August/September detection flights show that the state has 222 SPB spots infesting 4,985 trees. Once again, there are no epidemic counties reported during this flight period. The eastern part of the state shows noticeable SPB activity. Somewhat unusual, the northeast region has the greatest number of “beetle counties” with 8, the greatest number of SPB spots with 111 and the greatest number of infested trees with 2,030. Statewide, the county with the most SPB spots of 29 and infested trees of 515 is Talladega County located as expected in the northeast region.

The temperature is beginning to decrease as autumn approaches which will soon result in the decline of SPB activity. Even though the months following September normally have a significant decrease in beetle activity, the results of this last flight period did confirm the year’s SPB prediction. Overall, SPB activity did remain low but with an increase in detected spots for August/September.

This table coincides with the regional maps illustrating southern pine beetle infestation spots detected during the June/July flights.

Biology and Prevention | Control | SPB Cost Share Program
Statewide SPB Spots | East Central Region | North Region Spots | Northeast Region Spots
Northwest Region Spots | Southeast Region Spots | Southwest Region Spots