NCRS - The Changing Midwest Assessment
Insect Exotics and Defoliators |
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Exotics:Pine
Shoot Beetle Gypsy
Moth Defoliators:Forest
Tent Caterpillar Jack
Pine Budworm Spruce
Budworm |
| Insect Defoliators and Exotic Invasive
Forest Pests The North Central Region includes approximately 77 million acres of forest, which corresponds to a total growing-stock volume of approximately 84 billion cubic feet of timber. Currently, annual growth of growing-stock exceeds 2 billion cubic feet, and 1.1 billion cubic feet are harvested each year. Further, "natural" processes, including fire, insect defoliators and exotic invasive forest pests, may result in the destruction of an additional 1 billion cubic feet each year by fire. The Forest Tent Caterpillar, Jack Pine Budworm, and Spruce Budworm are among the most destructive of the native insect; the Pine Shoot Beetle and Gypsy Moth are exotic species of special concern, given that there life history attributes have allowed them to become invasive, thereby spreading rapidly and causing severe economic and ecological losses. To view maps and animations that depict changes in the distribution,
frequency, and severity of defoliation events caused by the Forest
Tent Caterpillar, Jack Pine Budworm, and Spruce Budworm, and changes
in population dynamics of the Gypsy Moth and Pine Shoot Beetle,
click on the images above or the embedded links. |
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USDA Forest Service - North Central Research Station