Insect pests and diseases in Mesic Hardwood Forests may become more damaging under a warmer climate.

Longer growing seasons and milder winters might allow populations of native forest pests such as forest tent caterpillar to build more rapidly, and many pests have been shown to be more damaging when interacting with trees that are already stressed due to droughts or other impacts. The possibility also exists for new pests such as gypsy moth and Asian longhorn beetle to arrive in northern Minnesota.