The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) is an ever-present threat to the health of pine forests in the South. During 1999 and 2000, the SPB infestation in the pine forests of Tennessee reached epidemic proportions destroying over 100,000 acres of pine timber. This module will investigate the population dynamics of the SPB.

This module is designed to allow 7th through 9th grade biology students to manipulate variables that affect infestation. Using either STELLA modeling software or an online Java model, students will be able to change both the percentage of beetle survival between trees and the number of eggs that survive per female adult. 

Students will calculate the percentage of counties in Tennessee infested with the SPB over a two-year period.  By analyzing this data, students will create pie charts and graphs and predict future trends.  This module will help students better understand the tremendous growth of the SPB when biotic conditions are optimal.