Ingrid Aguayo, Ph.D.
Forest Entomologist
Colorado State Forest Service
Colorado State University
5060 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-5060

Office: (970) 491-7282
Cell: (970) 988-4271
Fax: (970) 491-7736

Dear Mr. Isenhart,
I'm sorry for taking so long to reply, but I've been busy in the field and carrying out some of the flying in Colorado. As you saw form my presentation, we capture aerial survey data of recent changes regarding forest insect and diseases (program that we collaborate with the USFS) so this tool can be available for you and your community. We hope the maps that are generated from this program are useful to your community.
Thank you very much for your critique. I will consider it for future talks. I'm sorry if I came across as how you describe me: "You don't seem to think that humans can live next to forests. "The bugs rule and anyone who decides to live next to a forest is a fool"". I certainly do not think that (well, maybe that bugs rule), and I was not trying to convey that idea. I studied forestry and forest entomology to provide services to the public in this matter. My philosophy is to present the known science and discuss them with the public so people can understand the forest and be able to live in harmony in the forest by understanding natural processes that are part of Western forests.
We hope to see you at the October workshop that CSU Extension and CSFS are putting together.
Regards,
Ingrid

Dry Beetle Attacks: Our extension agent, Irene Shonle, is reporting that beetle attacks this summer can occur without the normal signs of pitch tubes. These attacks are called dry attacks because the beetles are able to bore into the tree and the tree is unable to produce the sap necessary to fight back. This is happens when a tree is has experienced dry conditions. The only way to tell if a tree has been dry attacked is to look for signs of sawdust at the base of the tree and discoloration of the needles. Treatment options remain the same.