Mountain Pine Beetle
These destructive insects burrow through the outer bark of conifer trees to lay their eggs.
Guide Sections
Use Mountain Pine Beetle's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Mountain Pine Beetle Details
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Learn About the Park
Among the diversity of life found in Rocky Mountain National Park are, unfortunately, 17 species of insects that are changing the character of park forests, including mountain pine beetles. These destructive insects burrow through the outer bark of conifer trees to lay their eggs, and the beetle larvae feed on the inner bark of the trees. Drought and warm winters have fueled an outbreak of bark beetles in recent years, killing pine trees throughout the park. The Park Service tries to manage the problem by cutting hazard trees and using chemicals to protect a small number of high-value trees.