TNCMaine_Summer26 - Flipbook - Page 5
Special delivery: thousands of live beetles arrive
at Tatnic Hills Preserve. The insects were released
as a biological control to help protect hemlock
trees from invasive insects. © Clark Tate/TNC
picture is concerning enough that it’s reshaping how
scientists and conservationists think about the future.
Insects are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, pesticide
use, climate change, and invasive species.
One unwanted insect you may already know by name is the emerald
ash borer (EAB)—a tiny, metallic green beetle 昀椀rst detected in Maine
in 2018. The Maine Forest Service describes EAB as one of the most
serious invasive threats to Maine’s forests. Because much of the
damage happens under the bark, infestations are often di昀케cult to
detect early. By the time symptoms appear, trees may already be in
deep trouble. The loss of ash trees is not only an ecological crisis,
but a cultural disaster for Wabanaki Nations, for whom ash trees
hold deep practical and spiritual signi昀椀cance. Wabanaki Nations
have been creating ash baskets and caretaking ash stands for
countless generations; ash trees are relatives, and also play a key
role in some Wabanaki creation stories as the tree from which the
Wabanaki people emerge.
Another growing concern is the southern pine beetle (SPB). Native
to the southern United States, SPB was historically kept in check
farther north by cold winters—a protective barrier that is changing
as the climate warms. Today, SPB poses a serious threat to Maine’s
pitch pine, jack pine, and red pine habitats, all of which are rare or
uncommon in the state.
In Maine, The Nature Conservancy is helping develop strategies
that keep forests and ecosystems functioning—sometimes by
working with insects instead of against them. This includes training
days focused on forest pests; protecting pollinator habitat; and
supporting the careful use of biological controls to reduce the
impact of invasive species. One example is the release of predator
beetles at TNC’s Tatnic Hills Preserve to address the spread of
hemlock woolly adelgid.
Maine has a strong culture of stewardship. Our identity is tied to
vast forests, working waterfronts, and 昀氀owing rivers. Understanding
how to support native insects—and respond thoughtfully to invasive
ones—helps ensure that these small but essential creatures can
continue doing their big work.
The black dots scattered
through this packing
material are living beetles—
part of a carefully managed
biological control effort.
©Clark Tate/TNC
Maine Roots | Summer 2026 | 5
