Millions of acres of forests across western North America are red and dying because of an insect the size of a grain of rice. In the past decade, the mountain pine beetle has flourished, and there is no known way to stop them.

USU mathematics researcher James Powell studies the effects of climate change on the native insect to predict the acceleration of spatial spread. By calculating the reproduction rate of the beetle in relation to average temperatures, Powell’s research indicates that milder winters and warmer summers are improving reproductive efficiency, resulting in an increase of attacks.  A denser forest from wildfire suppression also creates the perfect breeding ground for beetles.

Despite the devastating momentum of the outbreak, concerned researchers like Powell will continue to learn more with hopes of predicting the course of outbreaks.