EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROTECTION AGAINST PINE WEEVIL

WHY CONNIFLEX

Protection, free from chemical pesticides.

Protective effect well proven.

One treatment is enough.

 

METHOD

Treating seedlings with Conniflex means that the plant is protected by a coating of sand that is glued to the plant. This protection prevents the pine weevil from damaging the bark. During treatment at the nursery, the plant passes through three stations: gluing, sanding and hardening. This is how Conniflex works:

  1. GLUING

    In the gluing unit, the plant is first sprayed with a film of water. After this, a water-based glue is applied, which runs along the stem. To make sure that the glue reaches all the way to the bottom of the stem, as the pine weevil crawls up from the ground, the plant is placed on a vibrating plate which evenly distributes the glue.

  2. SANDING

    In the sanding unit, fine grains of sand are blown onto the stem using compressed air. The sand sticks to the glue on the plant. Even though the grains of sand are very small, they are large enough to prevent the pine weevil’s jaws from getting past them. At the same time, the grains of sand are not so large that gaps are formed, through which the pine weevil could get to the stem. All of this is performed automatically inside the sanding unit, which is a closed unit. This is good for the working environment. The weight of the plants is not affected by the sand.

  3. DRYING

    The glue is dried in the drying unit. This is performed in a controlled environment to avoid drying out or damaging the plant. The protection is now complete, and the plants are transported onwards on the conveyor in order to be packed into boxes, for example.

EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

CONNIFLEX IS EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

There is now a new method for protecting forest plants against the pine weevil. This protection is called Conniflex. It is effective and environmentally friendly. Conniflex contains no insecticides. Nevertheless, the protective effect is equivalent to that offered by insecticides. The protective effect also lasts throughout the most critical period for the newly planted seedling, i.e. the first two years. One treatment is sufficient.

ABOUT INSECTICIDES

Insecticides are chemical substances that are particularly toxic to insects. At present, two types of chemical protection may be used against the pine weevil in Sweden. The Swedish Chemical Inspectorate, Keml, is the authority that decides which insecticides may be used and how.

WHAT DOES THE FSC SAY ABOUT INSECTICIDES?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a voluntary certification for responsible forestry. According to the Swedish forestry standard, the use of chemical pesticides is not permitted in forestry. To combat the pine weevil, the Board of the Swedish FSC has granted dispensations for the use of the preparation. However, from spring 2020 no dispensations will be granted. Also, Swedish PEFC will allow no use of chemical pesticides after 2019.

PINE WEEVIL ATTACK

The pine weevil has to be stopped. Otherwise, more than 80 per cent of the plants can die within three years following the planting of new forest. It is therefore important to protect the plants from the pine weevil’s jaws. This is particularly critical during the first two years after planting. Significant amounts of bark can be gnawed away in each hectare of forest land. On average, each pine weevil eats 23 mm2 of bark a day in the summer.

The Pine Weevil

The pine weevil is a serious pest in the forest. The insect principally attacks young and susceptible coniferous plants. It does this by gnawing away the thin bark. Without its protective bark, the plant dies.

The pine weevil has to be stopped. Otherwise, more than 80 per cent of the plants can die within three years following the planting of new forest. It is therefore important to protect the plants from the pine weevil’s jaws. This is particularly critical during the first two years after planting. Significant amounts of bark can be gnawed away in each hectare of forest land. On average, each pine weevil eats 23 mm2 of bark a day in the summer.

The pine weevil is a costly pest for the forestry industry. Replanting forest is expensive. And damaged forest grows poorly. It has been estimated that the pine weevil causes damage worth hundreds of millions of Swedish kronor to the forestry industry. Every year.