Spruce Bark Beetles are currently in a period of larger populations; some biologists believe that has been increased even more by Alaska’s recent warmer seasons.
Matt Connors with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge…
Connors: “What we’re seeing lately is without having any cold, harsh winters to kind of set that back, those populations are at a really high level right now. In fact, some researchers are even saying that they think that maybe even an extra cycle is going through, where they actually will hatch and then usually it would be one cycle to maturity in a summer but with the little longer, warm seasons we’re seeing two cycles of some of these beetles that are coming through.”
Connors stated that many people think the bugs are an invasive species however they are native to Alaska.
He said that biologists aren’t too concerned because natural cycles like this one occur often.
Connors: “Right now we’re in a warming cycle, hopefully we’ll see this go back and it’ll start to knock back those beetles in the future.”
Connors said while the refuge waits for this cycle to end, trail crews will be dealing with the increased trees falling across trails.