LOCAL DISPERSAL OF MALE SPRUCE BUDWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) MOTHS DETERMINED BY MARK, RELEASE, AND RECAPTURE

Abstract

AbstractLocal dispersal and survival of male spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), moths under field conditions was determined by mark, release, and recapture in pheromone-baited traps. Recapture rates and distance of recapture were dependent upon height of traps and proximity of traps to the release point, but over 65% of those recaptured were caught within 50 m. With traps 20 m apart, 30% of the recaptures were in traps farthest from the release point (50–70 m), a fact which suggests that male spruce budworm may disperse beyond this distance at low densities. Males were recaptured up to 7 days after release, and had a daily survival rate averaging 67%.