Spruce Beetle in Denali

Large numbers of the native spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) are causing notable spruce mortality in and around Denali National Park and Preserve. There are many types of insects and disease that cause harm to coniferous trees, and the 6mm long spruce beetle is just one. Despite their small size, spruce beetle occasionally experiences rapid population growth that results in large-scale spruce mortality events. These outbreaks are generally regional and have affected several regions in Alaska over the last 50 years. However, the Denali area has not experienced a significant outbreak in recent times.

Click on the illustrations below to explore the effects of spruce beetle and how the forest may respond.

 

Original illustrations by Scientist-in-Park Mariana Perez

 

More Information

• Explore Spruce Beetle in Alaska's Forests — a website for information regarding spruce beetles throughout Alaska.
• View Alaska's Aerial Detection Survey data — updated yearly with detailed information on the current status of forest damage caused by several sources.
• Read about Assessing the Risk of Denali's Forests to Spruce Beetle Outbreak
• Read about Insect Outbreaks in Southwest Alaska