Natural History Wanderings

Small Beetle Killing Whitebark Pines in  Rocky Mountains including Yellowstone

Whitebark pines in the Rocky Mountains are being destroyed by a large outbreak of a mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae).  The cause warmer

White Bark Pine Pollen Cones by Sandy Steinman

climate leading to milder winters and warmer summers that have resulted in the beetle population growing rapidly.   The death of Whitebark Pines, which grow only at high elevations, is devastating the landscape.  Whitebark Pines are already under attack from a non-native fungus, white pine blister rust.  The cones from the trees produce seeds that are a critical food sources for a number of species including Grizzly and Black Bears, Red Squirrels and Clark’s Nutcrackers.  Read more at NPR Small Beetles Massacre The Rockies’ Whitebark Pines : NPR.

Related Articles

• White-bark pine ravaged throughout Yellowstone (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
• What Does Climate Change in Yellowstone Look Like? (Photo Essay) (switchboard.nrdc.org)
• U.S. to consider protection for imperiled whitebark pine (seattletimes.nwsource.com)