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Treat trees infested with Mountain Pine Beetle
Jewel Cave National Monument » Treat trees infested with Mountain Pine Beetle » Document List
The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) is the number one insect killer of pine trees throughout the western United States. The mountain pine beetle (MPB) is native to the forests of western North America and to the Black Hills region of South Dakota and attacks most pine species including ponderosa pine in the Black Hills.
MPBs develop under the bark of pines, particularly ponderosa, lodgepole, Scotch, and limber. Adult flight typically occurs in July and August, with the peak flight around the first week of August. During this flight, adult beetles leave previously infested trees and attack new large-diameter host trees. However, under epidemic or outbreak conditions, small diameter trees may also be infested. The adults attack green trees, chew through the bark and construct galleries, along which eggs are laid. Larvae hatch from the eggs and begin feeding on the phloem of the tree in late summer to early fall. Larvae, pupae or callow adults overwinter under the bark of the infested tree. In the spring, the beetle finishes its maturation process under the bark of the tree.
Populations of mountain pine beetle are typically found at an endemic level, killing and reproducing in stressed or weakened trees, including lightning struck and root diseased trees. At times, beetle populations increase dramatically. In the increasing and outbreak stages, any host trees, healthy or stressed, are attacked and often killed.
While mountain pine beetles are native to the Black Hills ecosystem, forests stressed by drought, warm winters, and other environmental factors have contributed to a higher than normal beetle population leading to the local epidemic. This is causing an imbalance in the forest ecosystem and a dangerous fire risk for the Black Hills. The result has been an epidemic causing ponderosa pine mortality throughout the Black Hills.
The park has conducted a survey and identified 60 infested trees within a 40 acre area. This does not include healthy trees with just a few MPBs. The park will treat the infested trees by felling, lopping and scattering the limbs, and cutting them into 18" chunks. The chunks will be rolled in late May to ensure that the wood dries completely and kills the larvae.
Treating trees in this way will suppress the infestation – buying time for natural conditions to improve and lead to the end of the epidemic. The park will re-survey the forest after this summer's flight to determine whether further action will be required next year.
Chief of Resource Management
605-673-8308
Mike_Wiles@nps.gov
MPBs develop under the bark of pines, particularly ponderosa, lodgepole, Scotch, and limber. Adult flight typically occurs in July and August, with the peak flight around the first week of August. During this flight, adult beetles leave previously infested trees and attack new large-diameter host trees. However, under epidemic or outbreak conditions, small diameter trees may also be infested. The adults attack green trees, chew through the bark and construct galleries, along which eggs are laid. Larvae hatch from the eggs and begin feeding on the phloem of the tree in late summer to early fall. Larvae, pupae or callow adults overwinter under the bark of the infested tree. In the spring, the beetle finishes its maturation process under the bark of the tree.
Populations of mountain pine beetle are typically found at an endemic level, killing and reproducing in stressed or weakened trees, including lightning struck and root diseased trees. At times, beetle populations increase dramatically. In the increasing and outbreak stages, any host trees, healthy or stressed, are attacked and often killed.
While mountain pine beetles are native to the Black Hills ecosystem, forests stressed by drought, warm winters, and other environmental factors have contributed to a higher than normal beetle population leading to the local epidemic. This is causing an imbalance in the forest ecosystem and a dangerous fire risk for the Black Hills. The result has been an epidemic causing ponderosa pine mortality throughout the Black Hills.
The park has conducted a survey and identified 60 infested trees within a 40 acre area. This does not include healthy trees with just a few MPBs. The park will treat the infested trees by felling, lopping and scattering the limbs, and cutting them into 18" chunks. The chunks will be rolled in late May to ensure that the wood dries completely and kills the larvae.
Treating trees in this way will suppress the infestation – buying time for natural conditions to improve and lead to the end of the epidemic. The park will re-survey the forest after this summer's flight to determine whether further action will be required next year.
Contact Information
Mike WilesChief of Resource Management
605-673-8308
Mike_Wiles@nps.gov