Missoulian: Pine
beetles likely survived recent cold snap
“Mountain pine beetles overwinter mostly as larvae beneath
(or within) the inner bark of host trees. Occasionally, pupae and callow adults
may also overwinter. In most lodgepole and ponderosa pine stands, larvae pupate
at the ends of their feeding galleries in late spring. Adults emerge and attack
from about early July through August, depending on elevation and temperature
(fig. 2). Egg galleries a re more or less straight and vertical and may be up
to 30 inches (76 cm) long. Eggs are laid along each side of the gallery in
individual niches. Bothniches and egg galleries are tightly packed with frass.
Eggs hatch and larvae feed until freezing temperatures cause dormancy.
Extremely cold temperatures (prolonged periods below -30 °F) can cause
significant mortality and can lead to an outbreak reduction or end.”
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