CLIMATE change could have helped provoke the most intense and widespread attack of heather beetle seen in Scotland.

It is feared that huge areas of the countryside face being stripped of heather this year and next due to an unprecedented onslaught by the destructive insect.

The beetles, lochmaea suturalius, emerge during spring to feed on heather during warmer weather. Although outbreaks have occurred frequently since the pest was first recognised in 1853, moor owners, keepers and farmers know little about the insects and have yet to find a way to tackle the plague.

A spokesman for Scotland’s Moorland Forum, an umbrella group for 22 organisations which are tackling the problem, said: “Among other factors, it is thought these ever-increasing outbreaks may be linked to climate change which can improve conditions for the beetle and place heather under greater stress.”

Simon Thorp, a director of the Heather Trust, said: “It is something we are looking at. There is a general feeling that warmer and wetter weather is favouring the beetles.”

Mr Thorp said the climate is one of the factors which needs to be examined as part of more detailed research into the insects, funding for which is now being sought.

In the meantime, the forum is to carry out a survey of estates to discover the extent of this year’s outbreak.

The Game Conservancy Trust will also be promoting a questionnaire at this year’s Scottish Fair, to be held on 3 and 4 July at Scone Palace, where the Uplands Research team will be plotting affected areas on maps to build up a clearer picture of the outbreak.

Mr Thorp added: “It’s a big issue and we hope to get research started this summer. There are a lot of unknowns in this and what we need is solid research to discover the extent of the problem.”

He said a pesticide cannot be used against the heather beetle as it would also kill other insects on which moorland birds feed and a selective insecticide does not yet exist.

Many land managers say this year’s outbreak is the worst they have seen in Scotland. Swarms of the beetles have been seen in Inverness-shire and Strathspey, while the bugs also infested villages on Loch Ness side.

As well as the impact on sporting estates where heather is a habitat for grouse, the outbreak could also affect tourism, with many visitors keen to see heather blooming on the hills.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) says that over the last few years the problem has led to a loss of grouse habitat which is affecting income for some rural communities. It warns that a series of dry winters and warm summers will do “irreparable damage” to Scotland’s heather moorland.

Consultations are to be held with the Executive on whether extra muirburning can be done in the worse affected areas to help the heather grow again.

Currently, muirburn in Scotland is permitted below 1,500 feet between 1 October and 15 April, but may be extended by the owner or Executive to 30 April. Above 1,500ft the season is 1 October to 30 April, but may be extended to 15 May.

The Moorland Forum spokesman added: “Rotational burning of heather, which is practised in many parts of Scotland, aims to ensure that a proportion of the heather is maintained at a young age, when it grows most vigorously and is likely to be protected against the worst effects of the beetle. The process prevents the heather dying back and produces food and cover for gamebirds, deer and sheep.

“It is likely that the older heather will be most affected by a heather-beetle attack.”

The SGA has previously called for licences to be granted to burn out the worst affected patches of heather.