Racing the clock to stem the spread of the mountain pine beetle
In the summer of 2019, Forest Service entomologist Amy Lockner made her way along the Taylor Canyon Road toward Gunnison, Colorado, a small mountain town situated in a valley often referred to as the “Gateway to the Rockies.”
As she drove down the winding canyon road flanked by pine trees, her gaze caught a subtle inconsistency in the forest canopy that other travelers would not have noticed. What caught Lockner’s eye was a group of lodgepole pines beginning to fade and discolor.
The sudden realization hit her like a thunderclap. Years of experience studying insect species and their effect on the environment trained her to look out for the tell-tale signs of mountain pine beetles. She took note of the spot, turned off the main road, and immediately looked for a nearby landowner to get permission to collect samples.
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