Researchers let beetles fight it out

PHOENIX - A new phenomenon called ‘Beetle Mania' is playing out in the state's high country forests.

Northern Arizona University researchers may have found the solution to bark beetles.

Bark beetles have killed millions of trees in Arizona, and until now nothing stopped them.

Armed with sonic bullets, they are firing back with Rush Limbaugh, Queen, Guns N' Roses and manipulated sounds of the bugs themselves.

And while that made the beetles uncomfortable and not wanting to be in that environment, Dr. Richard Hofstetter says the scientists started firing the insects' own sounds back at them seemed to be the most effective plan.

Right after the bugs heard the sounds, researcher said let nature took its course.

"They kind of make these squeaky noises," says Hofstetter. He says at that point the male beetles would tear the females apart.

The researcher says that is not normal in the natural world.

"The idea would be to put these devices on high valued trees, maybe campgrounds, along roads. You know, we could protect those individual trees. We've yet to study if airborne signals would be effective."