Canadian Forest Service Publications
Early intervention strategy—efficacy and the non-target impact of insecticides. 2016. Johns, R.C.; Martel, V. NRCan: Making a Difference 16E.
Year: 2016
Issued by: Atlantic Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 37071
Language: English
Availability: PDF (download)
Plain Language Summary
Spruce budworm outbreaks occur every 30 to 40 years. In the past, insecticides were applied when the outbreak was well underway, with the objective of keeping the trees alive. A new approach is being tested where areas of emerging spruce budworm populations are treated early in the outbreak cycle with the aim of slowing or preventing the spread of an outbreak. The insecticides Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) and Mimic® (tebufenozide) are being tested to determine how effective they are in controlling low density spruce budworm populations. A complex network of parasitoids and pathogens is believed to play a key role in keeping spruce budworm numbers low between outbreaks and contributes to the decline in numbers as the outbreak subsides. DNA barcoding will be used to determine the impact of Btk and Mimic on these enemies of the spruce budworm.
Also available under the title:
Stratégie d'intervention précoce - efficacité des insecticides et leurs efforts non-spécifiques
(French)