THE eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle has been confirmed in Scotland for the first time. 

A single case of the pest, Ips typographus, was discovered on a trap in a Fife woodland recently, but forestry officials believe it is a "one-off". 

The beetle, which has already devastated woodlands in parts of the UK, poses a particular threat to spruce trees, which are key to Scotland's forestry industry. 

READ MORE: ‘Operation Scorched Earth’ to stop Ips typographus reaching Scotland

James Nott, head of tree health at Scottish Forestry, said: “Although this is the first time we have found Ips typographus in Scotland, we currently believe it is a one-off and has simply hitchhiked here. To put it into some context, it is one beetle of its kind that Forest Research experts have found amongst the 6,500 other samples. 

“However, whenever we find quarantine pests such as this, even in very small numbers, we always follow it up quickly with further surveys to ensure there are no other resident populations. That is what we are currently doing and as ever I would continue to ask the industry to remain vigilant regarding all tree pests and diseases.”

Believed to have arrived on back of goods being shipped at Grangemouth, the Fife beetle was discovered amid Scottish Forestry's new surveillance programme to check for pests and diseases.

In its first year, it uses aerial surveillance, drones, new traps, ground surveillance and ‘citizen science’ to report in sightings to Tree Alert. 

New and improved traps have been used for the first time and, throughout the year, tree health experts have had over 6,500 individual finds. More than 40 different species were trapped including the single Ips typographus beetle.

James added: “It is really important that we know what pests and diseases are on our trees, and equally importantly which ones are not. 

“With the new pheromone traps in operation we were expecting to find more and that was certainly the case.

READ MORE: Ips typographus: Further finds of spruce bark beetle in England

“These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the new surveillance and monitoring system across Scotland. It is good news that no breeding populations of quarantine pests have been found so far and that we have identified so many natural predators. 

“These provide a great indication of the health of our forests. It is important we do not become complacent and encourage everyone to remain vigilant and act swiftly if they see something out of place in an ever-changing environment.”