Mountain Pine BeetleKristina Hunt

What is being done to stop the rapid spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle?

History of the Pine Beetle

Two outbreaks in the Kootenay (1930 – 45 and 1980-present)

Native species

Naturally found west of the Continental Divide in the Southern Rocky Mountains

Map of Infected Areas in BC

Pine Beetle Facts

Has moved further North and East during recent outbreak

Likes likes to inhabit mature trees

There is currently an abundance of mature trees due to the prevention of forest fires by humans

Pine Beetle Facts

Mild winters in recent years has allowed the Pine Beetle to survive

Very hard to detect in early stages

Carries blue stain fungus that kill trees

Blue Stain Fungus Infected Wood

How It Effects the Forest Industry

Has killed over 50% of the volume of lodgepole pine in BC

Infected wood is being logged quickly to prevent spread

Important to use wood before it rots

Timber supply will be reduced, sawmills will close

Beetle Kill Wood Can Still Be Used

How It Can Be Stopped

A severe cold snap (-30 degrees or colder for long periods of time) will kill the pine beetle

Climate change has prevented cold snaps

There has not been a cold snap in BC for many years

How It Is Being Stopped

Burning beetle infected trees has helped stop it

Infected wood is being logged before it rots

Outbreak has become to big to become controlled, these methods are less effective

Why It Needs A Cold Snap

Larvae spend winter under bark and produce natural antifreeze

Larvae cannot survive extremely cold temperatures

Difficult to detect in this stage

Emerge as adults in the summer and spread to other trees

Cold Snap

Overall

The pine beetle is a native species that has gotten out of control

The only natural way to kill it is a cold snap

Burning and logging is becoming less effective because of the massive size of the pine beetle outbreak