Bark Beetles

Bark beetles are small insects that burrow into trees, mainly targeting weakened or stressed ones. They live under the bark, where they lay eggs and where their larvae feed on the tree’s inner layers. This activity disrupts the flow of nutrients and water, often leading to tree death. Bark beetles can be naturally occurring, but their populations sometimes explode due to climate change, drought, or forest management practices, causing widespread tree mortality. While they are a normal part of forest ecosystems, large outbreaks can threaten forest health and increase wildfire risks.