Identification and ecological characterisation of Choristoneura occidentalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) populations in southwestern Alberta, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan M.T. Brunet ◽  
Anina E. Hundsdoerfer ◽  
Felix A.H. Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Flight Period ◽  
Choristoneura Occidentalis ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Larval Host

AbstractThe western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of western North American coniferous forests, where its principal larval host is Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii subspecies glauca (Beissner) Murray (Pinaceae). In southwestern Alberta, Canada, populations were recently discovered feeding on an unconventional host, an Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelmann × white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss hybrid (Pinaceae), in a transition zone between the two major forest types characterised by these conifer species. We use molecular evidence to verify the species identity of outbreaking Choristoneura populations collected from Douglas-fir and hybrid spruces in southwestern Alberta in 2009, and characterise the larval and male moth phenology. Both mitochondrial and microsatellite markers confirmed these populations as C. occidentalis, but admixture with Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was detected in some individuals. Few differences associated with separate host trees were evident in the phenology of larvae and the flight period of male moths.

The Biology of Adelges cooleyi (Gill.) (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae)

1959 ◽  
Vol 91 (10) ◽  
pp. 601-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret E. P. Gumming
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Alternate Host ◽  
Shade Tree ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Shelter Belt ◽  
Adelges Cooleyi

Adelges cooleyi (Gill.) causes galls on spruce in the forests and on shelter-belt and shade-tree plantings in Alberta. The alternate host is Douglas fir, on which the injury is less conspicuous. The tree species affected are white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, Engelmann spruce, P. engelmanni Parry, and blue Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. A. cooleyi is indigenous to North America.

WHITE SPRUCE AND THE SPRUCE BUDWORM: DEFINING THE PHENOLOGICAL WINDOW OF SUSCEPTIBILITY

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Lawrence ◽  
William J. Mattson ◽  
Robert A. Haack
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Foliar Traits

AbstractSynchrony of insect and host tree phenologies has often been suggested as an important factor influencing the susceptibility of white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, and other hosts to the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We evaluated this hypothesis by caging several cohorts of spruce budworm larvae on three white spruce populations at different phenological stages of the host trees, and then comparing budworm performance with host phenology and variation of 13 foliar traits. The beginning of the phenological window of susceptibility in white spruce occurs several weeks prior to budbreak, and the end of the window is sharply defined by the end of shoot growth. Performance was high for the earliest budworm cohorts that we tested. These larvae began feeding 3–4 weeks prior to budbreak and completed their larval development prior to the end of shoot elongation. Optimal synchrony occurred when emergence preceded budbreak by about 2 weeks. Larval survival was greater than 60% for individuals starting development 1–3 weeks prior to budbreak, but decreased to less than 10% for those starting development 2 or more weeks after budbreak and thus completing development after shoot elongation ceased. High performance by the budworm was most strongly correlated with high levels of foliar nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, copper, sugars, and water and low levels of foliar calcium, phenolics, and toughness. These results suggest that advancing the usual phenological window of white spruce (i.e. advancing budbreak prior to larval emergence) or retarding budworm phenology can have a large negative effect on the spruce budworm’s population dynamics.

Factors influencing understory seedling establishment of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) in southeast Wyoming

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2753-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Knapp ◽  
William K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Incident Radiation ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Northern Rocky Mountains ◽  
Medicine Bow Mountains ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Surface Drying

Although seedlings of Abies lasiocarpa are generally more abundant than those of Picea engelmannii in the understory of mature spruce–fir forests throughout the central and northern Rocky Mountains, little information exists concerning environmental or plant factors that may influence the establishment of these two conifers. Field measurements in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeast Wyoming showed that seedlings of A. lasiocarpa had greater photosynthetic rates at low understory light levels and required lower levels of incident radiation for saturation of photosynthesis compared with those of P. engelmannii. However, both conifers occurred in understory locations where total daily solar radiation was equally low (<2 MJ∙m−2∙day−1) and thus, a lack of light did not appear to be responsible for the low number of P. engelmannii seedlings in the understory. In contrast, seedlings of P. engelmannii were substantially more abundant at locations with thinner litter layers compared with those of A. lasiocarpa. Also, laboratory studies showed that the smaller seeds of P. engelmannii germinated more rapidly and at lower temperatures than seeds of A. lasiocarpa although growth of tap roots on A. lasiocarpa seedlings was greater initially ([Formula: see text] longer in 2-week-old seedlings) as well as for 10-week-old seedlings (50% longer). The deeper penetrating tap root of A. lasiocarpa seedlings may enable this conifer to establish more abundantly on thick, rapidly drying litter layers that are characteristic of mature spruce–fir forests. In contrast, establishment of P. engelmannii seedlings may be limited to microsites without a thick litter layer such as disturbed areas or decomposing wood, where surface drying may occur more gradually throughout the summer. These results are discussed in terms of the potential effects of seedling establishment on the observed patterns in climax vegetation of central and northern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests.

Keepability of Pennsylvania versus West Coast Grown Douglas-Fir Christmas Trees: Genotypic Variation in Relation to Subfreezing Temperatures

1990 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Kubiske ◽  
Marc D. Abrams ◽  
James C. Finley
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Christmas Trees ◽  
Display Area ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Needle Loss

Abstract Cut Douglas-fir Christmas trees grown in Pennsylvania from Rocky Mountain seed sources and coastal trees grown in the Pacific Northwest and shipped into Pennsylvania were compared for keepability. Following various cold treatments, the cut ends of trees were placed in water in an indoor display area. Coastal trees placed in a freezer at - 29°C for 24 h had 89 ± 5.1% (mean ± standard error) needle loss after one day of display, while Rocky Mountain origin trees exhibited only 3 ± 2.0% needle loss after 1 day and 50 ± 5.6% needle loss after 18 days. Coastal produced trees exposed to temperatures > - 12°C had 50 ± 9.8% needle loss at the end of the experiment, while Rocky Mountain trees ended with 22 ± 3.2% needle loss. Four additional treatments consisted of trees placed on an outdoor lot and periodically moved indoors to simulate Christmas tree market activity. Again, there was a significant difference between trees from coastal and Rocky Mountain sources, with 57.2 ± 4.3% and 11.8 ± 1.2% needle loss after 3 days, respectively. By the end of the 23 day experiment, the coastal trees were essentially devoid of needles, whereas Rocky Mountain trees had an average of only 20% needle loss. Coastal trees also exhibited a very noticeable loss of color and lustre. North. J. Appl. For. 7:86-89, June 1990.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ATTACK RATES AND SURVIVAL OF WESTERN SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA OCCIDENTALIS FREEMAN (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), AND BUD DEVELOPMENT OF DOUGLAS-FIR, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII (MIRB.) FRANCO

1992 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy F. Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Close Association ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Choristoneura Occidentalis ◽  
Western Spruce Budworm ◽  
Bud Development ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
Vegetative Buds ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractIndividual larvae of western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman) were observed from overwintering emergence to pupation at six locations spread over a wide range of altitudes and thus climate. A weekly census of 100 lower-crown buds per plot indicated large differences in rates of bud development and larval survival among locations.Emerging second-instar larvae attempted to mine swelling buds of Douglas-fir. If the buds were hard and tight, larvae mined 1-year-old needles until penetrable buds were available. Larvae dispersed over the crowns with only one larva becoming established in each bud; thus, many early-emerging and surplus larvae could not find suitable feeding sites and disappeared. Within the protective bud, survival was high. After buds flushed and larvae became exposed, densities dropped, probably due to increased predation and decreased food quality. Correlations indicated a close association between larval survival for the exposed period between bud flush and pupation, and overall larval survival.Douglas-fir trees responded to initial bud removal, but not to needle removal, by inducing latent buds in the axils of needles to grow into active vegetative buds ready to develop and flush the next spring. The number of these new vegetative buds formed was greatest when the initial buds were removed early in the season before flush, and decreased thereafter. Trees with vigorous crowns had the greatest response to defoliation by inducing the largest number of latent buds into becoming active vegetative buds; these were found mainly on the 2- and 3-year-old internodes.

scholarly journals Genetic control and evolutionary potential of a constitutive resistance mechanism against the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) in white spruce (Picea glauca)

Heredity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Méndez-Espinoza ◽  
Geneviève J. Parent ◽  
Patrick Lenz ◽  
André Rainville ◽  
Laurence Tremblay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Constitutive Resistance

A Multipoint Felled-Tree Validation of Height–Age Modeled Growth Rates

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halli Hemingway ◽  
Mark Kimsey
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Breast Height

Abstract Accurate measures of forest site productivity are essential for forest-management planning. The most common measure of site productivity is breast height–age site index (BHASI)—the expected height at a reference age. Error from including early growth in productivity estimates and limited applicability of any one BHASI model warrant development of alternative methods. Exploring alternatives may only be necessary if regional BHASI models are not accurately predicting growth rates. We compared modeled height growth rates for Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) to felled-tree measurements to evaluate relative performance of a regional BHASI model. An orthogonal sampling design ensured samples were collected across a range of site factors known to influence Douglas-fir growth rates. Growth rates for each 10 m section were calculated and compared to BHASI modeled growth rates. The regional BHASI model underpredicted growth rates from breast height to 30 m. Observed growth rates from 10 to 30 m accounted for the majority of underprediction relative to BHASI modeled growth rates. An alternative multipoint method of defining site productivity is described. More research comparing BHASI and alternative methods is needed, given the growth rate error associated with one-point site productivity assessment.

Stand growth responses after fertilization for thinned lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and spruce in forests of interior British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1471-1482
Author(s):  
Woongsoon Jang ◽  
Bianca N.I. Eskelson ◽  
Louise de Montigny ◽  
Catherine A. Bealle Statland ◽  
Derek F. Sattler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses

This study was conducted to quantify growth responses of three major commercial conifer species (lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), and spruce (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelm. × Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière))) to various fertilizer blends in interior British Columbia, Canada. Over 25 years, growth-response data were repeatedly collected across 46 installations. The fertilizer blends were classified into three groups: nitrogen only; nitrogen and sulfur combined; and nitrogen, sulfur, and boron combined. The growth responses for stand volume, basal area, and top height were calculated through absolute and relative growth rate ratios relative to a controlled group. Fertilizer blend, inverse years since fertilization, site index, stand density at fertilization, and their interactions with the fertilizer blend were used as explanatory variables. The magnitude and significance of volume and basal area growth responses to fertilization differed by species, fertilizer-blend groups, and stand-condition variables (i.e., site index and stand density). In contrast, the response in top height growth did not differ among fertilization blends, with the exception of the nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer subgroup for lodgepole pine. The models developed in this study will be incorporated into the current growth and yield fertilization module (i.e., Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields (TIPSY)), thereby supporting guidance of fertilization applications in interior forests in British Columbia.

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