Spruce Budworm Detection in North Dakota Shelterbelts and Nurseries With a Synthetic Sex Attractant
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Date
2010-06-23, 1975
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North Dakota State University
Abstract
Description
The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana IClemens) ILepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the most damaging insects of eastern forests. Its host range includes balsam fir and various species of spruce, and it sometimes feeds on larch and pine. Although primarily a forest pest, it also occurs in the eastern prairie provinces of Canada and south into North Dakota. Because the spruce budworm is a threat to spruce in North Dakota, a detection method to monitor its occurrence and population trends is needed. Sex attractants have not only proved efficient for detection and population monitoring, but may also offer an alternative to pesticides for control. Weatherston et al identified trans-11-tetradecenal as a major component of the sex pheromone of C. fumiferana. In 1973, traps baited with this sex attractant were field tested to evaluate its effectiveness for detection of spruce budworm moths in plantings with little or no apparent damage. Four of the five nurseries sampled produce large
blue spruce stock for landscaping, park plantings
and highway beautification. Movement of infested nursery trees to new locations no doubt contributes to the spread of the insect. A statewide detection survey on a regular basis would show population trends and range. If populations were to rise, the survey could provide correlations between severity of damage and moth numbers.