How did this happen?

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

green pine trees

http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/images

What exactly caused the problem? Well, generally the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) has always been here. Because of Global warming it is getting warmer. The warmer the temperature, the more the pine beetles multiply and they are not killed off by low winter temperatures.

    • A MPB kills a tree by burrowing into the tree, laying their eggs, and then transmitting a blue stain fungus that breaks down the tree's connective tissue. When the larvae hatch they eat away the tree's nutrients.
    • The tree can sometimes wipe out the beetle. The tree gives off a sappy like mixture which traps the beetle. The Blue Stain Fungus helps the beetle by holding off the tree's attack.

dead western pine beetles

http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/

 

Back

To the Top

Next