Detecting Bark Beetle Activity in a Timber Log via Airborne Sound

The proliferation of bark beetles (Ips typographus) due to ecosystem imbalances poses a significant threat to forest health. Recent developments have seen the Thuringian Forest severely affected by the spread of wood-infesting species. Experts emphasize that early detection of infestations in specific areas is crucial for the effectiveness of preventive measures. Until now, such detection methods have been based primarily on visual inspections or the analysis of volatile compounds, which must be carried out by trained personnel.Our study investigates the feasibility of acoustically detecting the presence of bark beetles within trees. Such a detection is achieved by analyzing the sound field near the outer bark and identifying the presence of these insects via their activity signals.This article reviews the state of the art of early detection techniques and sound analysis related to bark beetles, discusses the measurements and subsequent analysis that have been conducted, and presents a novel, high-quality dataset of bark beetle sounds. This contribution represents an initial step in addressing a significant environmental issue and is expected to be expanded upon through further research aimed at providing forest rangers with effective tools for the early detection of bark beetle presence in forested areas.