Southern Pine Beetle Invades New Jersey, Causing Widespread Damage

In New Jersey Pines, Trouble Arrives on Six Legs.  (The New York Times, 12/1/2013)



Another piece of rapidly accumulating evidence:   In an infestation that scientists say is almost certainly a consequence of global warming, the southern pine beetle is spreading through New Jersey’s famous Pinelands. It tried to do so many times in the past, but bitterly cold winters would always kill it off. Now, scientists say, the winters are no longer cold enough.

It's been going on for awhile.

N.J. Southern pine beetle outbreak is nation's worst. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/17/2011)

Hungry critters.  Dendroctonus frontalis devoured 14,000 acres of pines last year and is expected to devastate at least another 14,000 this year, state officials said.