At least the pine beetles are unhappy

[Jays toyz]

All this sustained cold at least has the benefit of killings lots of beetles. My understanding of the articles show even with a total kill of existing infestations in Alberta, overflights from warmer adjacent infected blocks will repopulate quickly. A study I read talked about a cold event in 09 near GP that killed off most of the beetles in this area.

[Big Grey Wolf]

My understanding is extended very cold -30oC weather in November has best pine beetle kill, before they have chance to generate their antifreeze. However this long -40oC should still do a job on them, about time.

[58thecat]

And those dam caterpillars too
image.jpg

Used a snow shovel to toss them in the woods after a heavy shot of raid.

[Big Grey Wolf]

58 are you sure cold weather hits caterpillars? It always seemed that when we got real bad snow storm in May they got hammered, otherwise they just got worse each year.

[Ennyindabenny]

What about the spruce sawyer, will they die too?

[skidderman]

My understanding is that it depends on the snow level as well as any below the snow level are safer unless very cold. I'm sure though that this cold spell is a good thing.

[Jays toyz]

Maybe more than just unhappy according to the CBC
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5014113

[TimeOff]

It's said that the best time to be cold is mid fall, at least -15 for a few days. Early before the Larve have time to produce the antifreeze in their system.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

58 are you sure cold weather hits caterpillars? It always seemed that when we got real bad snow storm in May they got hammered, otherwise they just got worse each year.

Mid winter extreme cold temps kills thier eggs, so the studies indicate, all I know is the buggers are gross, strip a tree clean in no time, make the roads slick etc thank god they don't bite.

[Talking moose]

Was told that in mid winter it takes over a week of -40 straight (not windchill) to kill them.