Tree-killing beetle found to be attracted to Britain’s most common spruce

European spruce bark beetles have already devastated Norway spruce populations across the rest of Europe. Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy

A beetle that has previously devastated Norway spruce populations across continental Europe has been found to be equally attracted to the Sitka spruce, a finding experts say could have significant implications for commercial forestry.

The eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle has now been found in the UK, raising fears for the Sitka, which accounts for a quarter of Britain’s forest cover and half its commercial forestry plantations.