Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-10
Spruce BudwOrm

The Maine Forestry Department
has issued a report Of the investiga-
tons Of the Spruce Budworm car
ried on by that department in. CO.
operation with the Forestry Depart
ment, University Of Maine and the
Maine Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton, the report being by Prof. N. w.
Blackman, Phi. D., professor of en-
tomology. N. Y. State College of.For-
estry. 1t says in part: *,
"The spruce budworm (tortrix fu-
miferana Clemens) is with small
doubt the most destructive enemy Of
the spruce, fir and hemlock in Maine.
It ia probably native to this country
although it is well known in Eng
land" Much damage was probably
done by. it in 1907 in Casco Bay re-
gion; it wiped out much Of the red
spruce from Portland to Rockland in
an infestation that reached it's apex
in 1879; disappeared for more than
80 years; but since 1911 has been re-
ported in various places.
",rhe present outbreak seems to be
much more serious and destructive
than that Of 30 years ago, for its ex-
tent comprises not only the coast re-
gions but practically every wooded
area of the State. Indeed, by far the
greatest amount Of damage has oc-
CURED in the inland portions, espec-
tally in Somerset, Piscataquis, Aroos-
took and Washington counties, in re-
gions remote from the coast and COW
cred with dense forests of spruce,
balsam, fir and mixed hardwoods.
From enquiries and personal observ-
alton, it is certain that the insect was
present to an alarming extent in
Franklin, Cumberland, Lincoln. Pts
cataquis, Penobscot, Waldo, Knox,
Aroostook. Washington and Hancock
counties. It is also certain that it was
to be found in Oxford, Somerset and
Sagadahoc and almost as certainly in
the remaining three counties. How
ever. the greatest damage was done
in the great indanl spruce and bal
sam forests Of the northern half of
the State which are the main source
Of supply for the pulp mills
The insect is first seen in spring or
early summer, when the new growth
at ends OF branches and twigs appear
wilted or blighted, being the needles
or leaves Of the spring growth
gnawed through but held together by
stlken, web-like substance. Sew
eral caterpillars will be found within
the mass, when full grown from one
half to three-quarters Of an inch,
with dark, nearly black head and q
generally brown body, more or less
diffused with green at the sides. Each
segment has several light colored
warts. dark at center, from which
arises hair. It begins feeding in
spring and reaches full growth about
middle Of June.
The larvae are usually full grown
by middle Of June and transfers
forms to pupae, which in week or SO
change to medium sized, brownish-
gray moths, which fly in last week Of
June and first half Of July. Moths
deposit eggs in small light green
masses on sides of needles or leaves.
Eggs are fiat rather scale like, form
small oval masses, hard to see. EGGS
are all laid before the last Of July and
larvae hatch is Z to 10 days.
Arsenate Of lead Is lbs. to 100 gals.
Of water) spray Is effective for shade
and ornamental trees. The forests
only hope is the natural checks,
such as parasitic and predaceous en-
emies which nearly invariably in the
course Of a few years control any ex-
traordinary outbreak Of injurious in
sects.
Trees killed by the budworm are by
no means valueless. as they will re-
main sound for several years and can
be utilized for pulpwood, provided
they are not riddled by wood. boring
insects. This is especially true Of the
spruce.
Fish and Game