Western spruce budworm defoliated area in the Northern Region has differed significantly across three discrete geographic zones during the past decade. Aerially visible defoliation in northern Idaho increased from 1.7 million acres in 1969 to a high of 2.2 million acres in 1974, and declined to none in 1979. Defoliated...
Epidemic populations of the western spruce budworm persist in the Northern Region. Aerial surveys made in August 1976 showed a decline in the acreage of aerially visible defoliation. In northern Idaho, the defoliated area dropped from 831,487 acres in 1975 to 655,711 acres in 1976, down 21 percent. Surveys in...
Aerial surveys of six Montana National Forests in 1975 found a 22.1% increase in the area of visible defoliation caused by the western spruce budworm. It is estimated that 2,278,804 acres of Douglas-fir forests are now suffering at least 25% defoliation. This is an increase of 503,706 acres over the...
Aerially visible defoliation by the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, increased from 149,250 acres in 1973 to 649,319 acres in 1974 on five eastern Montana National Forests. An egg mass survey during the fall of 1974 predicted that additional defoliation will occur in 1975 on 47 of 48 plots...
An attempt was made to predict western spruce budworm defoliation using
egg counts from plots in the Douglas-fir type east of the Continental
Divide in Montana, the Douglas-fir type west of the Continental Divide
in Montana, and the mixed grand fir Douglas-fir type of northern Idaho.
The parameters used in...
A 3-year evaluation of Douglas-fir cones in Montana and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, showed the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, and midges were the most common and injurious insects found each year. Injury was so severe at some plots that no sound seeds could be found.