Close-up of tree affected by Southern Pine Beetles

It has been said by many that the native Southern Pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, is one of the most destructive insect pests to pines. Here at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Loblolly Pine trees are a haven to the Southern Pine beetle for shelter, breeding, nesting, and feeding. These beetles chew and burrow their way through the bark and the inner parts of the tree, killing a healthy tree in a month. Many of the pine trees on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are the perfect habitat for the Southern Pine beetle. Sadly, the tree that allows the beetle to survive will quickly die. A large number of the Loblolly Pine trees, found on Assateague Island are reaching the end of their lifespan and are also affected by salt stress due to sea level rise. Since the trees are already weakening, they make a good starting habitat for the Southern Pine beetle because it is easier to break the tree’s defenses.