THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE SPRUCE BUDWORM (CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA, CLEM.) TO THE FLOWERING CONDITION OF BALSAM FIR (ABIES BALSAMEA (L.) MILL.)

Abstract

Populations of the spruce budworm were studied on flowering and nonflowering balsam fir trees. Generally more eggs were found on the flowering trees. The flowering balsam fir trees were found to harbor higher populations in the early larval stages owing to the presence on these trees of staminate flowers and flower cups. The behavior of the larvae in relation to staminate flowers and flower cups was studied in both the field and the laboratory. Larvae that fed partially on pollen developed more rapidly than larvae that fed exclusively on foliage. Pollen as a food did not appear to have any direct effect on survival or fecundity. Other experiments showed that mortality was higher, development retarded, and fecundity reduced in insects forced to feed on old foliage in contrast with those fed on the current year's growth. Defoliation was more severe on flowering trees in the earlier stages of the infestation. However, as populations increased, wandering increased owing to competition for food. This resulted in an overflow of larvae from flowering to nonflowering trees.