The Mississippi Forestry Commission says the first Southern pine beetle outbreak to hit southwest Mississippi in nearly 20 years has apparently doubled in size and shows no signs of slowing.
The Enterprise-Journal reports that officials are urging landowners in Franklin, Amite, Wilkinson, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln and Copiah counties to check for the beetles, which bore into living pine trees and can kill them.
The Forestry Commission says a recent survey of the Homochitto National Forest found about 500 active infestations, with another 160 located on private and school lands. That’s up from 250 found in late May and June.
Officials say current infestations are affecting pine trees of all ages and sizes.
From The Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/12/4718640/mississippi-pine-beetle-infestations.html