ALBANY — A bark beetle that has devastated southern pine forests is moving north as the climate warms, and new research suggests cool weather could amplify its attacks.

Dartmouth researchers say cooler fall and winter temperatures in the Northeast arrest the development of southern pine beetle larvae, resulting in massive numbers of adults emerging at once in spring.

The beetle relies on mass attacks to overcome a tree’s natural defenses.

Once unheard-of north of Delaware, southern pine beetles have steadily expanded their range as the climate warms. Efforts are underway to quell a large outbreak on Long Island and monitoring traps have caught beetles as far north as New England.