
Mountain pine beetle
(Dendroctonus ponderosae)
Overview
The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) is a small bark beetle native to the forests of western North America. Adults lay eggs beneath the bark and introduce a blue stain fungus to prevent the tree from defending itself with pitch flow. An infestation of beetles will overwhelm a tree, eventually girdling and killing it. Forests badly affected by mountain pine beetle can be spotted overhead by large groupings of dead, rust-colored trees.
Research Connection
Though the mountain pine beetle has not yet reached Minnesota, its severity poses a major threat to the state’s rich pine forests. MITPPC researchers are currently assessing the risk of mountain pine beetle invasion and determining overall susceptibility of local pines.
Read More
Meet the species: Mountain pine beetle | Forest Invasives Canada
Mountain pine beetle | National Park Service
Mountain pine beetle | Colorado State Forest Service
Fact sheet | Colorado State University Extension
Header image credit:
"Pine beetle infested forest" by Simon Fraser University - Communications & Marketing is licensed under CC BY 2.0