South Dakota Town Unites to Torch Effigy of Destructive Beetle
In Custer, South Dakota, hundreds of people carrying torches set fire to a giant wooden beetle effigy in an annual winter tradition to raise awareness of the destructive impact of the mountain pine beetle on Black Hills forest land. The event, known as the Burning Beetle fest, includes a talent show and "bug crawl" and supports local arts, while also highlighting the threat posed by the aggressive and destructive bark beetle in the region.