Stochastic simulation of growth loss in thinned balsam fir stands defoliated by the spruce budworm in Newfoundland

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhard John Dobesberger
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Simulation ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Damage Function ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Negative Exponential Function ◽  
Attack Pattern ◽  
Growth Loss ◽  
The Impact

A stochastic simulation model was developed to derive a damage function for the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clem. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., herbivore interaction at the stand level for open-grown trees. Both aggregated and uniform models of attack pattern by late-instar larvae based on k of the negative binomial were evaluated to determine the impact of larval density and attack pattern on the loss in stemwood volume increment of young, thinned balsam fir stands in Newfoundland. Percentage loss in stemwood increment was a nonlinear, negative exponential function of initial larval density. Implementation of control measures to prevent 50% defoliation that is caused by about 14 larvae/branch tip would result in saving 24% of the annual stemwood increment after 1 year of defoliation and about 32% after 2 years of cumulative defoliation. Aggregation of spruce budworm larvae among trees within a forest stand results in less growth loss compared with a uniform pattern of attack. The nonlinear damage function may suggest tolerance and possibly compensatory growth after herbivory by low population levels of the spruce budworm.

Seasonal natural history of aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera) attacking the balsam twig aphid in balsam fir (Pinaceae) Christmas tree plantations

2016 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Berthiaume ◽  
Christian Hébert ◽  
Georges Pelletier ◽  
Conrad Cloutier
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Aesthetic Value ◽  
Christmas Trees ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe balsam twig aphid, Mindarus abietinus Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important pests of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (Linnaeus) Miller; Pinaceae) grown as Christmas trees in eastern North America. Aphid feeding on the current-year shoots results in needle distortion and shoots stunting, which reduces the aesthetic value of balsam fir trees and can have substantial economic impact. Syrphidae (Diptera) fly predators attacking this aphid are poorly known. We identified four species attacking the balsam twig aphid. Syrphus torvus Osten Sacken (Diptera: Syrphidae) was the most abundant species followed by Eupeodes lapponicus (Zetterstedt) (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae). We described the seasonal natural history of the two most abundant syrphids feeding on this aphid and we studied their synchrony with their prey. Syrphid larval density on balsam fir shoots increased rapidly and closely followed density of the balsam twig aphid. We also reported heavy parasitism of syrphid pupae by two Hymenoptera on tree foliage but lower parasitism on pupae in the soil under trees. Several cases of multiple parasitism and hyperparasitism were observed in syrphid pupae under trees. Abundance of predaceous syrphid species was higher in untreated balsam fir plantations compared with treated plantations. More research is needed to understand the role and the impact of these predators on balsam twig aphid population dynamics.

Impact de la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette [Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)] sur la régénération des sapinières après la coupe à blanc

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-C. Ruel ◽  
M. Huot
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Coupe À Blanc

An analysis of over 100 balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] stands has shown some effects of spruce budworm defoliation on regeneration after clearcutting. Even though softwood stocking was consistently high prior to harvesting operations, longer infestation periods or more severe defoliation levels led to a decrease in the stocking of softwood stems above 50 cm height and to the establishment and development of hardwood advance growth. Hardwoods were more often in a dominant position in the most severely damaged stands and the budworm effect was still persistent on the regeneration structure even 5 years after logging. Cutovers with less than 60% stocking were also more frequent in the most severely devastated fir stands. This situation seemed directly related to the impact of the spruce budworm on balsam fir advance growth. Key words: balsam fir, Choristoneura fumiferana, advance growth, clearcutting

scholarly journals Impact of a spruce budworm outbreak in balsam fir and subsequent stand development over a 40-year period

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A MacLean ◽  
Allison R Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Break Up ◽  
The Impact

Nine 0.04-ha plots were established in 1956 (age 35 years) in a balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) stand in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada to determine the impact of an uncontrolled spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) outbreak on stand development. The plots were measured annually from 1956 to 1961 and at five-year intervals from 1965 to 1995. Moderate to severe defoliation occurred from 1951 to 1957 and again in 1975 to 1977, 1981, and 1986 to 1988. Budworm-caused mortality from 1956 to 1961 (age 35 to 40 years) varied considerably among plots, reducing volume by 35 to 113 m3/ha (34%-84%), and resulting in a wide range of post-outbreak plot densities. Plots were grouped into three post-budworm outbreak (1965, age 45 years) basal area classes, of ≤ 20 m2/ha, 21 to 27 m2/ha, and ≥ 28 m2/ha, to examine stand recovery. Recovery of volume up to age 60 years ranged from 72 to 132 m3/ha, in the lowest to highest basal area classes, respectively. From age 60 to 75 years, five plots declined in volume due to the onset of stand break-up and four plots increased in volume. By age 60 years, survivor growth was greatest in the high basal area plots, ranging from 6.2 to 9.0 m3/ha/yr in seven plots, versus 2.6 to 3.2 m3/ha/yr in two low basal area plots. From age 60 to 75 years, survivor growth averaged only 2.8 to 5.2 m3/ha/yr, and the stand exhibited major decline, with 63%, 74%, and 78% mortality of fir ≤ 15 cm DBH in the low to high basal area plots, respectively. Budworm-caused "thinning" in the 1950s largely determined subsequent stand development and the rate of stand break-up 25 to 35 years later. The timing and rate of natural stand decline was strongly influenced by post-outbreak stand density. Key words: budworm-caused mortality, stand structure, stand development, growth, mortality, stand density

Soil drainage class, host tree species, and thinning influence host tree resistance to the spruce budworm

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1771-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Fuentealba ◽  
Éric Bauce
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Thinning Intensity ◽  
Drainage Class ◽  
Tree Resistance ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
The Impact

Thinning has frequently been recommended for reducing damage caused by spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)). It is believed that this technique enhances the mechanisms of resistance of trees (antibiosis and tolerance) to this insect. However, various research projects that have focused upon effects of this silvicultural tool on host tree resistance have yielded equivocal results. A better understanding of the effects of this technique on host tree resistance and budworm performance can help us to reduce the impact of this insect while respecting the ecological integrity of the forests. We examined the effects of stand commercial thinning and drainage class on balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.)), white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) resistance to spruce budworm 3 years after thinning. We wanted to determine if this technique could be used as preventive tool against insect defoliators. Field-rearing experiments of spruce budworm were conducted, together with foliar chemical analyses, along a gradient of stand thinning intensity (0% (control), 25% (light), and 40% (heavy)) and drainage class (rapidly drained, class 2; mesic with seepage, class 3; subhygric, class 4; and hydric, class 5). Despite having favoured budworm performance (high pupal mass) and winter survival, heavy thinning increased balsam fir and white spruce tolerance (amount of current-year foliage remaining) to a level that resulted in overall increased host tree resistance to the insect. This response was caused by strong foliage production in reaction to the thinning treatment. Light thinning did not increase host tolerance, except in balsam fir and white spruce that were growing on hydric and subhygric sites, respectively, demonstrating the importance of this variable in determining host tree resistance. These results suggest that heavy thinning may be used as a preventive measure during the low-density phase of budworm populations, since this technique increased foliar production in balsam fir and white spruce, rendering them more resistant to attack by this insect.

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) establishment dynamics during a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreak: an evaluation of the impact of aging techniques

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain Parent ◽  
Hubert Morin ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Conventional Method ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
The Impact

The effects of recurrent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) outbreaks on balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) mortality have been extensively studied in Canada. Most studies report substantial seedling recruitment of balsam fir during outbreaks when reproductive trees are dying. According to previous research, this contradiction could be due to inaccuracies in the conventional aging method. Counting the maximum number of growth rings found at the tree base would significantly underestimate tree age. Counting terminal bud scars found on the entire trunk, including buried stem, would give a more accurate tree age. In this study, we compare recruitment dynamics obtained for aging seedlings in two balsam fir populations (about 500 km apart) using (i) the conventional method and (ii) bud scar counts. For both populations, the conventional method shows substantial recruitment during adult mortality, while the second aging technique reveals reduced recruitment during the epidemic phase of the spruce budworm outbreak.

Réduction de croissance en volume occasionnée au sapin baumier, suite à la défoliation par la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jean Beaulieu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Ottawa River ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Growth Loss

A method was developed to determine the growth losses in volume in surviving balsam fir following a spruce budworm outbreak that occurred in the Ottawa River Valley in Quebec. Equations expressing the diameter growth rate had there been no infestation were developed. These equations were applied to balsam fir surviving the epidemic so as to determine what their diameters would have been without defoliation. Subsequently, the theoretical volumes were assessed using these diameters. The method was validated for the pre-epidemic period and precision was superior to 90%. Analyses revealed the outbreak caused a 49% volume growth loss to balsam fir for a period of approximately 10 years. Key words: Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), growth losses.

Weather and Outbreaks of the Spruce Budworm in the Province of Quebec from 1939 to 1956

1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Pilon ◽  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
The Past ◽  
Forest Regions ◽  
Tree Component ◽  
Gaspe Peninsula ◽  
Gaspé Peninsula

Nearly all forest regions in the Province of Quebec where balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) is an important tree component have been subjected to severe defoliation by the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), during the past 20 years. These outbreaks have followed an easterly direction beginning near the Ontario-Quebec border in 1939 and ending in the Gaspé Peninsula in 1958.

Prescribed Burning for Stand Conversion in Budworm-killed Balsam Fir: An Ontario Case History

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McRae
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Prescribed Burn ◽  
Stand Conversion

Recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) infestations have resulted in widespread areas of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) mortality in Ontario, and there is growing interest in reestablishing these areas quickly as productive forests. One technique being used is prescribed fire after a salvage and bulldozer tramping operation. A 445-ha prescribed burn was carried out under moderate fire danger conditions in northern Ontario. The site, which was covered by balsam fir fuel that had been killed by spruce budworm, was tramped to improve fire spread. Weather, fuel consumption, and fire effects are reported. The burn effectively reduced heavy surface fuel loadings and consequently planting on the site was easier. Key words: Prescribed burning, fire, spruce budworm. Choristoneura fumiferana, balsam fir, Abies balsamea, fuel consumption, site preparation, tramping, stand conversion.

LONG TERM STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AERIAL APPLICATION OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS – ACEPHATE COMBINATIONS AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

1977 ◽  
Vol 109 (9) ◽  
pp. 1239-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. N. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Long Term Study

AbstractBacillus thuringiensis (Dipel® 36B) mixed with a sublethal concentration of acephate (Orthene®) (O, S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate), an organophosphorous insecticide, was applied at 2.35–14 l./ha to white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees infested with spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). The treatment rate was 20 Billion International Units of B. thuringiensis (B.t.) activity with or without 42 g of active ingredient of acephate/ha.The ground deposit of the standard Dipel wettable powder formulation was 12% of emitted volume compared with 21–32% for the Dipel 36B flowable. The viability of B.t. spores was drastically reduced after 1 day of weathering but a high level of biological activity by the spore–crystal complex persisted for up to 20 days post-spray due probably to crystal activity.The addition of about 10% of the recommended operational rate of acephate to the B.t. suspension increased larval mortality by 34% when applied at 4.7 l./ha. Reductions in budworm populations were 97–99% in B.t. + acephate plots and 86–90% in B.t. alone plots.Plots with moderate budworm densities of up to 27 larvae/100 buds on white spruce and 36/100 on balsam fir were satisfactorily protected from excessive defoliation in the year of spray by B.t. with or without acephate. Plots with higher population densities were not satisfactorily protected based on the branch sample examination but aerial color photographs indicated good protection to the top third of the trees. Population declines were greater and defoliation and oviposition were lower in the treated plots than in the untreated checks 1 year later without further treatment. Two years later the larval population densities in all plots were low but the density was twice as high in the untreated check as in the treated plots, indicating long term suppression by the treatments. Defoliation was negligible in all plots.The treatments had no deleterious effect on spruce budworm parasitism. The data indicate that the integrated approach using Bacillus thuringiensis – chemical pesticide combinations is a viable alternative to the use of chemical pesticides alone in spruce budworm control. Large scale testing is now warranted.

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