Effects of surrounding forest and site conditions on growth reduction of balsam fir and spruce caused by spruce budworm defoliation

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 2351-2362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne E MacKinnon ◽  
David A MacLean
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth Reduction

The species composition of surrounding forest and site characteristics have been postulated to influence growth loss caused by eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) defoliation. Forty spruce (Picea spp.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands located in north-central New Brunswick, Canada, were measured for defoliation and tree growth and used to determine the effects of surrounding forest (softwood, mixedwood), site (wet soil – nutrient poor; moist soil – nutrient rich), and species group (balsam fir, spruce) on growth reduction caused by spruce budworm. Stem analysis of six trees per stand (total 240 trees) determined mean specific volume increment (SVI) per year in 1973–1993. There was relatively little defoliation during the 1989–1993 measurement period, and regression analyses showed that SVI was significantly (p = 0.0299) related to mean defoliation for only one of eight treatment classes: balsam fir on moist–rich sites in mixedwood forests. However, two periods of earlier growth reduction were evident, and analysis of variance showed that balsam fir on wet–poor sites sustained 12% greater (p = 0.0071) reduction in SVI from 1987 to 1990 than balsam fir on moist–rich sites. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) sustained 13% greater (p = 0.0198) reduction in SVI from 1973 to 1978 than red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) – black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP). Surrounding forest type did not significantly affect SVI reduction from 1973 to 1978 or from 1987 to 1990, but from 1973 to 1978 stands in softwood forest sustained 5%–8% more growth reduction than those in mixedwood forest.

COMPARATIVE EFFICACIES OF SINGLE AND DOUBLE APPLICATIONS OF COMMERCIAL BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA IN BALSAM FIR STANDS

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. N. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Mixed Stands

Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B.t.) is the most widely used biological control agent against the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), a major defoliator of coniferous forests. The technology of applying the bacterium, however, is still not fully developed and the strategy of applying single or split applications of B.t. in unmixed stands is still in question. Double applications are generally accepted as necessary in mixed stands of white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, red spruce, P. rubens Sarg., black spruce, P. mariana (Mill.) BSP, and balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., due to difference in the phenological development of the host trees and of the budworm infesting them. Field trials were conducted at Mine Centre, Ontario, to compare the efficacies of double and single applications of B.t. against the budwonn infesting balsam fir stands.

Interactions among defoliation level, species, and soil richness determine foliage production during and after simulated spruce budworm attack

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 565-580
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Wu ◽  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Chris Hennigar ◽  
Anthony R. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Number Of Shoots

Defoliation level and site type are thought to influence tree response during spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) outbreaks. We determined the effects of four manual defoliation treatments (0%, 50%, 100%, and 100% + bud removal of current foliage) for 3 years on foliage production of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.), and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) trees on four site-quality classes. After 3 years of defoliation and 2 years of recovery, foliage biomass was reduced by 34%–98%. During defoliation, the number of shoots generally increased and shoot length of spruce generally decreased, especially on rich sites. During recovery, the number of shoots increased substantially, shoot length decreased, and bud destruction reduced the number of shoots by about 50% compared with that of trees that received the 100% defoliation treatment. Defoliation did not substantially affect needle length. Trees on rich sites had two- to fourfold greater foliage production than trees on poor sites. Effects of site and defoliation differed among species, but site quality, especially nutrition, played an important role in production of shoots and needles and the tree’s ability to withstand defoliation. Black spruce had more limited ability to recover foliage biomass, only producing more shoots, whereas balsam fir and white spruce had stronger ability to recover needle and shoot length, respectively.

Variations in the foliar amino acid composition of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in relation to outbreaks of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem))

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Apparent Correlation

The amino acids of new and old foliage of flowering and non-flowering balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were investigated using two-dimensional descending paper chromatography. The data were analyzed for variation associated with age of foliage, age of tree, and flowering condition. The concentration of foliar amino acids was greater in balsam fir than in white spruce, and greater in new foliage than old foliage.The difference in concentration between foliage of flowering and non-flowering trees was smaller. However, the new foliage of flowering fir had higher levels of most of the amino acids examined than any other foliage category. This appears to reflect the known suitability of these foliage categories for spruce budworm larvae. While the data presented do not quantify the ecological significance of this apparent correlation, they do support the theory that variations in the nutritional quality of host plants play a very important role in the dynamics of herbivore populations.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF DEFOLIATION BY SPRUCE BUDWORM (CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA CLEM.) ON RADIAL GROWTH AT BREAST HEIGHT OF BALSAM FIR (ABIES BALSAMEA (L.) MILL.) AND WHITE SPRUCE (PICEA GLAUCA (MOENCH) VOSS.)

1958 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
First Year ◽  
Growth Ratio ◽  
Breast Height

The relationship between spruce budworm defoliation and radial growth at breast height for balsam fir and white spruce trees of merchantable size was studied in various stands in northwestern Ontario. Defoliation was recorded yearly for these stands from the beginning of the infestation, and radial growth measurements were obtained from increment cores. The first year of radial growth suppression was calculated by comparing the growth of the affected species with that of jack pine and red pine trees by means of a growth-ratio technique. Apparent suppression in balsam fir and white spruce varied between stands, and, generally, occurred at the earliest in the second year and at the latest in the fourth year of severe defoliation. A wide ring at the base of the tree coinciding with the first year of suppression as reported by Craighead was non-existent.

scholarly journals Vulnerability of Conifer Regeneration to Spruce Budworm Outbreaks in the Eastern Canadian Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Lavoie ◽  
Miguel Montoro Girona ◽  
Hubert Morin
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Insect Outbreaks ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is the main defoliator of conifer trees in North American boreal forests, affecting extensive areas and causing marked losses of timber supplies. In 2017, spruce budworm affected more than 7 million ha of Eastern Canadian forest. Defoliation was particularly severe for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), one of the most important commercial trees in Canada. During the last decades, intensive forest exploitation practices have created vast stands of young balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and black spruce. Most research focused on the impacts of spruce budworm has been on mature stands; its effects on regeneration, however, have been neglected. This study evaluates the impacts of spruce budworm on the defoliation of conifer seedlings (black spruce and balsam fir) in clearcuts. We measured the cumulative and annual defoliation of seedlings within six clearcut black spruce stands in Quebec (Canada) that had experienced severe levels of defoliation due to spruce budworm. For all sampled seedlings, we recorded tree species, height class, and distance to the residual forest. Seedling height and species strongly influenced defoliation level. Small seedlings were less affected by spruce budworm activity. As well, cumulative defoliation for balsam fir was double that of black spruce (21% and 9%, respectively). Distance to residual stands had no significant effect on seedling defoliation. As insect outbreaks in boreal forests are expected to become more severe and frequent in the near future, our results are important for adapting forest management strategies to insect outbreaks in a context of climate change.

EFFICACY OF FORAY 48B (BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS BERLINER) APPLICATIONS AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (CLEMENS) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), TIMED FOR PHENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BALSAM FIR AND BLACK SPRUCE

1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beresford L. Cadogan ◽  
Roger D. Scharbach
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Early Instar ◽  
Respective Species ◽  
Respective Host

AbstractThe insecticide Foray 48B (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner) was applied undiluted at 30 BIU per ha to control spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), in a mixed boreal forest stand of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., and black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. When the treatment was timed to coincide with the early flushing of balsam fir shoots, the corrected budworm population reductions were 74 and 52% on balsam fir and black spruce, respectively. This treatment resulted in 19 and 8% defoliation on the two respective species. When the insecticide application was timed later to coincide with the late flushing of black spruce shoots the corrected population reductions were 93% on balsam fir and 72% on black spruce. Defoliation of the two species was 29 and 10% respectively, following this treatment. Larval survival on both species after the spray timed for black spruce (0.8 and 2.2 larvae per 45-cm branch on balsam fir and black spruce, respectively) was significantly less (P = 0.05) than that observed after the spray timed for balsam fir (4.6 and 4.2 larvae per 45-cm branch on the respective host species).The data indicate that the spray timed to correspond with the flushing of black spruce was generally more efficacious than the spray timed to impact on newly flushed balsam fir; nevertheless, the results raise the question as to how B. thuringiensis insecticides impact on early-instar budworm larvae when there is no preferred current year foliage on which the insects can feed.

Foliage architecture explains oviposition preference of spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) for white spruce over balsam fir

2006 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary G. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Oviposition Preference ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Balsam Fir

AbstractI conducted dual-choice oviposition bioassays to test the hypothesis that spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), prefer the foliage architecture (spatial arrangement of foliage needles) of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss; Pinaceae) to that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill.; Pinaceae). Needles of white spruce radiate around the twig axis, giving the foliage a round architecture. Needles of balsam fir typically radiate bilaterally from the twig axis, giving the foliage a flat architecture, although on some trees foliage needles radiate around the twig axis, giving the foliage a round architecture. In bioassays, females showed a 2.4:1 preference for white spruce over "flat" balsam fir foliage, but this preference was reduced significantly to a 1.2:1 ratio when balsam fir had a round architecture. Given a choice between "round" and "flat" balsam fir foliage, females preferred the "round" foliage by a 2.2:1 margin. A similar preference for the round architecture was also observed when artificial (plastic) foliage with the two types of needle arrangements were compared. I conclude that the spatial arrangement of foliage needles is a major factor responsible for the oviposition preference of spruce budworm for white spruce over balsam fir.

Defining the window of opportunity for feeding initiation by second-instar spruce budworm larvae

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Fuentealba ◽  
Solène Sagne ◽  
Deepa Pureswaran ◽  
Éric Bauce ◽  
Emma Despland
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Good Survival ◽  
Window Of Opportunity ◽  
Phenological Synchrony

Establishing feeding sites is critical for the survival of neonate Lepidoptera larvae. Rapid foliar quality changes during leaf expansion create a narrow window of opportunity for establishment of early-spring feeders. We examined the effect of phenological synchrony between black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) budbreak and spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) emergence on the feeding behaviour of young larvae and on overall larval growth and survival under laboratory conditions. We correlated these variables with bud development and foliar toughness during the growing season. Our results show that early-emerging second-instar larvae were unable to feed on either black spruce or balsam fir buds; budworm on balsam fir mined old foliage and exhibited good survival and performance, but those on black spruce remained on the foliar surface and suffered high mortality and low growth. In the second later-emerging cohort, bud feeding gradually increased on black spruce whereas it was already the predominant behaviour on balsam fir, and no differences in performance were observed between host species. Thus, black spruce budbreak constitutes a strict window of opportunity, since larvae are often unable to mine the old foliage. Our results suggest that mechanical toughness could be the obstacle preventing young larvae from mining old black spruce needles. Our findings confirm the importance of second-instar ecology in spruce budworm, suggesting that, if climate warming eventually results in an improvement in phenological synchrony between spruce budworm and black spruce, larval survival may increase.

Carry-over effect of host nutritional quality on performance of spruce budworm progeny

2011 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fuentealba ◽  
É. Bauce
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Laboratory Rearing

AbstractThe effect of host nutritional quality on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) parental and offspring performance was studied using field and laboratory rearing experiments, and foliar chemical analyses. Foliage of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) BSP) was used to rear the parental generation in the field, whereas an artificial diet was used to rear the progeny under laboratory conditions. Important differences in the food quality were provided by the three hosts. Black spruce foliage had higher concentrations of certain monoterpene deterrents and total phenolics, together with stronger seasonal declines in nutrients such as N, P and Mg, compared with the other hosts. We hypothesise that this trend may be related to poor performance and survival of the progeny. Laboratory rearing showed that progeny of parents that fed on black spruce exhibited longer developmental times and greater mortality, and had lower pupal mass than progeny of parents fed on the other hosts. Further, artificial food-fed progeny of insects reared on black spruce reached sixth-instar later, with lower mass, and exhibited higher relative growth rate (RGR) than progeny of parents fed on the other hosts. These results suggest nutritionally-based parental effects. These results also confirmed that the quality of food consumed by the parents can influence the fitness of the next generation.

scholarly journals Variation of Stem Radius in Response to Defoliation in Boreal Conifers

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Balducci ◽  
Philippe Rozenberg ◽  
Annie Deslauriers
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Radius Variation ◽  
Eastern Spruce Budworm

In the long term, defoliation strongly decreases tree growth and survival. Insect outbreaks are a typical cause of severe defoliation. Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks are one of the most significant disturbances of Picea and Abies boreal forests. Nevertheless, in boreal conifers, a 2-year defoliation has been shown to quickly improve tree water status, protect the foliage and decrease growth loss. It suggests that defoliation effects are time-dependent and could switch from favorable in the short term to unfavorable when defoliation duration exceeds 5–10 years. A better understanding of the effect of defoliation on stem radius variation during the needle flushing time-window could help to elucidate the relationships between water use and tree growth during an outbreak in the medium term. This study aims to assess the effects of eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) defoliation and bud phenology on stem radius variation in black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] and balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] in a natural stand in Quebec, Canada. We monitored host and insect phenology, new shoot defoliation, seasonal stem radius variation and daytime radius phases (contraction and expansion) from 2016 to 2019. We found that defoliation significantly increased stem growth at the beginning of needle flushing. Needles flushing influenced the amplitude and duration of daily stem expansion and contraction, except the amplitude of stem contraction. Over the whole growing season, defoliation increased the duration of stem contraction, which in turn decreased the duration of stem expansion. However, the change (increase/decrease) of the duration of contraction/expansion reflects a reduced ability of the potential recovery from defoliation. Black spruce showed significantly larger 24-h cycles of stem amplitude compared to balsam fir. However, both species showed similar physiological adjustments during mild stress, preventing water loss from stem storage zones to support the remaining needles’ transpiration. Finally, conifers react to defoliation during a 4-year period, modulating stem radius variation phases according to the severity of the defoliation.

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