Lodge Pole Pine beetle, Common Mullein, and unknown yellow flowering plant - questions

Question: Hello;  I live in Conifer, CO and have questions on three plant species:
1. My Lodge Pole Pine trees continue to die off, I believe from the Pine Beetle? 
a). That is my first question; is it the pine beetle and is there anything that can be done to prevent this? I was told several years ago that there really is no spray, or injection that has been developed that can stop the pine beetle infestation - is that still the case? 
b). It seems to be just the Lodge Pole pines and not the Ponderosa Pines - is that true?

2. I have areas on my 2 acre plot that are now growing Common Mullein, where the Lodge Pole pines once grew since it is now open to more sunlight. CO wildflower books tell me most of the species of mullein are not invasive. How will I know if this one is invasive or not, or should I be digging all Mullein plants out? I am including a picture of those mullein plants to make sure you see if these are invasive or I can leave them alone to grow.

3. This plant, see picture of yellow flower - not Common Mullein in the second attachment, is it considered an invasive plant, what is it's name? I cannot find it in wildflower books, or maybe I am going right past it in those ID books? It has a sticky top where the flower develops that yellow set of petals.

Thanks for the help on answering these questions.

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied July 20, 2023, 3:55 PM EDT
response: Hi Michael, 1) Pine beetle will affect both lodgepoles and ponderosas. With a pine beetle infestation, you would see pitch tubes or boring holes in the main trunk/bole of the tree. Are you noticing either of those signs? They may be found higher up on the trunk. If you do have an active pine beetle infestation, there is unfortunately no treatment asides from removing the tree and disposing of it properly. More information can be found here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/mountain-pine-beetle-5-528/. 2) The plant does appear to be common mullein, which is a list C noxious weed so control is recommended. Here is more information on how to manage common mullein: https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/1246/Information-Sheet-on-Common-Mullein-PDF?bidId=.   3) The last plant is curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), which is native and does not need to be controlled. Thanks! Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 4:58 PM EDT
response: Hania; Thanks for that quick response and set of answers.I do not notice any bore holes. I see many woodpecker holes on those trees that are dying or are dead. I peeled away some bark next to one of the those woodpecker holes and do see some channels but not sure if they are the pine beetle or not? - see what you think.Attached are 3 pics: a typical standing dead tree, a stack of firewood, and a woodpecker hole with bark peeled away.I read the article you attach for the pine beetle. It does not really state what to do with the wood once it is cut down. You mention "...disposing of it properly." Do you mean I cannot stack that wood and burn it for firewood? If I cannot burn it in woodstove, how do I dispose of it?On the mullein, sounds like I need to do quite a bit of mitigation on those then. Shoot. Bees and hummingbirds love 'em.Thanks for answering these additional questions Hania.- michael emerineOn Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 1:55 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied July 20, 2023, 6:35 PM EDT
response: Hi Michael, There are definitely borers in the tree, based on the galleries, boring exit holes, and woodpecker activity that I'm seeing. It's difficult to tell which borer without a sample, but it's best to discard of the trees conservatively. You can cut the trees down and wrap the cut trees with 5 mil clear plastic, making sure that the wood is sealed. You don't want to stack the wood, as that can prevent the wood from being uniformly heated enough. It should sit in the plastic for several months during the summer. Alternatively, you can burn it as firewood as soon as possible, as beetles can still sit in the firewood and emerge/spread.  Thanks, Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 7:00 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the response. This will be difficult.- michael e. On Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 4:35 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2023, 3:52 PM EDT
response: I am splitting wood again today. Laying it out to cover with plastic. Found several of this larvae inside the logs. See the attachments of both sides of the white larvae. Is this a Mountain Pine Beetle larvae, or some other larvae?michael emerine-------- Original message --------From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: 7/20/23 4:35 PM (GMT-07:00) To: Michael Emerine <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Lodge Pole Pine beetle, Common Mullein, and unknown yellow flowering plant - questions (#0111655)

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied July 25, 2023, 1:20 PM EDT
response: Hi Michael, The insects you found appear to be the pupal form of a longhorn beetle. These typically bore into trees that are declining in health or that are already dead, so they wouldn't be the direct cause of the tree decline. Rather, they are just taking advantage of the tree's state. Thanks! Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 1:26 PM EDT
response: Ok, thanks for that info. It makes sense.  - michael e. On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 11:20 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: