Frost reduces western spruce budworm populations and damage in Montana

✍ Scribed by David G. Fellin; Wyman C. Schmidt

• Book ID: 102621784
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1973
• Weight: 411 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0002-1571
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-1571(73)90070-8

✦ Synopsis

Fellin, D. G. and Schmidt, W. C., 1973.

Frost reduces western spruce budworm populations and damage in Montana. Agrie. Meteorol, 11 : 277 283 Unseasonal temperatures, as low as -6°C, were recorded in western Montana in mid-June 1969, a period when western spruce budworm (Choristoneura oeeidentalis Freeman) larvae were actively feeding on newly developing foliage of coniferous host trees. Studies in progress at that time provided circumstantial evidence that the freeze reduced: (1) budworm populations on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), western larch (Larix oceidentalis Nutt.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) over 90%; and (2) budworm damage to young larch 54-71%.