Pine beetles
The trusted source Mountain Pine Beetle written by D.A leatherman, I. Aguayo, and T.M mehall gives information on the Pine Beetle epidemic. Mountain pine beetle results in loss of millions of trees in wilderness areas, backyards and mountain divisions. Mountain pine beetles transmit Bluestain Fungi which contaminate the adult beetles that help kill. There are a few natural controls of the beetles which are woodpeckers and insects that feed on the beetles underneath the bark but during outbreaks they fail to prevent more attacks on the infested trees. Under dry conditions trees are more likely to be attacked by pine beetles. Forest management plays a big role in prevention of Pine beetles creating diversity in age and structure leads to a healthier and more resilient forest. After reading the article about pine beetles I learned that the Mountain pine beetles have a one year life cycle in Colorado. Beetle pairs mate under the bark of trees and produce about 75 eggs that produce a feeding pattern. (Janessa)