Woodpeckers (Picidae) are a natural predators of mountain pine beetles, as they penetrate the bark of Pinus trees to feed on adults and larvae. Several other beetles, including two species of checkered beetles (Cleridae) also feed on the adults and larvae beneath the bark. Dolichopodid flies also feed on Dendroctonus ponderosae.

Other predators, however, target Dendroctonus ponderosae as the adults fly from their tree of origin to a new host. These predators include nuthatches (Sitta) and other birds.

Known Predators:

• Woodpeckers, Picidae
• Checkered beetles, Cleridae
• Nuthatch, Sitta spp.
• Dolichopodid fly, Dolichopodidae