Canadian Forest Service Publications
Validation of a spruce budworm phenology model across environmental and genetic gradients: applications for budworm control and climate change predictions. Information Report GLC-X-20. 2018. Candau, J.-N.; Dedes, J.; MacQuarrie, C.J.K.; Perrault, K.; Roe, A.; Wardlaw, A. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service. Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. 30 p.
Year: 2018
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39098
Language: English
Series: Information Report (GLFC - Sault Ste. Marie)
Availability: PDF (download)
Plain Language Summary
The ability to accurately predict spruce budworm phenology, the study of seasonal and climate-variated life cycle events, is important in many aspects of the management of this insect. This report presents the results of an ongoing investigation into the variability of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) development rates over its geographic distribution. Phase one of the study involved rearing laboratory colonies from the Insect Production Services (IPS) in Sault Ste. Marie at seven constant temperatures between 5-35ºC. This allowed us to develop and test rearing protocols and provided an opportunity to assess the accuracy of the BIOSIM software’s Spruce Budworm Biology Model predictions for the phenology of laboratory colonies that have been kept in isolation from wild populations for many generations. The 2nd phase of the project involved establishing colonies from wild budworm populations sampled in five locations across its geographic distribution, from Inuvik to northern Quebec. The samples collected in these locations were reared through to the next generation to provide enough individuals in each colony to run seven temperature experiments similar to the IPS colonies.
