Products and Services

Native to North America, this insect has been reported from Alberta to Newfoundland with epidemics recorded in the Maritimes, eastern Quebec, and Newfoundland. Found distributed throughout the surveyed area of Canadian forests, it has been collected on 20 conifer species with preferred hosts being balsam fir, white spruce, and western hemlock. Like other similar species, this insect is considered of major importance due to its potential to kill or severely damage trees during an infestation. Generally, the larvae feed on new needles, thus affecting the growth of the tree; however, during an epidemic the larvae will attack old needles and often totally defoliate fir trees leading to tree mortality. Although a significant pest, very little is known about the biology of this insect.

Points of interest

• first outbreak identified with certainty occurred in the Maritimes from 1929 to 1934
• past outbreaks in western Canada attributed to this insect may have been due to the western blackheaded budworm, Acleris gloverana (Wlshm.)
• past outbreaks in eastern Canada attributed to this insect may have been due to a more common species, eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)
• average of mature larval or full-grown length is 12 mm

References

Martineau, R. 1984. Insects Harmful to Forest Trees. Multiscience Publications Ltd., Montreal, Environment Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, and Supply and Services Canada, Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Ottawa. For. Tech. Rep. 32. 261 p. + x.

Rose, A.H.; Lindquist, O.H. 1994. Insects of Eastern Spruces, Fir and Hemlock. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Ottawa, and Canada Communication Group—Publishing, Ottawa. Revised edition. 159 p.