Spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) occur in endemic populations in white spruce stands throughout Alberta. Outbreaks of the spruce beetle often originate from areas with blowdown, logging slash, or damaged standing timber. Spruce beetles breed in these areas and may attack and kill healthy trees.
Primary Hosts and Distribution
White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss)
Engelmann spruce (P. engelmannii Parry).
Spruce beetle is common throughout Alberta, especially in areas with abundant mature spruce trees.