Drought spurred insect infestation in Rio Grande National Forest in southern Colorado
2/2/2023 2:08:09 AM
CATEGORIES:
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Alamosa County, CO
Archuleta County, CO
Conejos County, CO
Custer County, CO
Hinsdale County, CO
Mineral County, CO
Rio Grande County, CO
Saguache County, CO
San Juan County, CO
Start Date: 2/1/2023
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The 2002 drought promoted the infestation of pests like the spruce beetle, which prey on larger Engelmann spruce trees in the Rio Grande National Forest. Without adequate moisture, the trees become stressed and cannot produce resin, a sticky defense mechanism against the beetle larva.
The mountain pine beetle devastated lodgepole pine populations and attacked ponderosas, too. Robust beetle populations have killed healthy, mature conifers since the 2005 outbreaks.
The Durango Herald (Colo.), Feb 1, 2023
Sources
