The spruce budworm is gaining ground in Chaudière-Appalaches

The spruce budworm has been gaining ground in Chaudière-Appalaches since its arrival in 2020. Although there are a few pockets of infestation throughout the region, it is in the forests of the MRC of L’Islet where the epidemic is hitting hard.

Since the arrival of this pest insect, the area of ​​private and public forests affected has increased from less than 4,000 hectares to nearly 43,000 hectares, an increase which will continue this year, according to experts.

Between 2022 and 2023, there is a 40% increase in affected areassays Jean-Pierre Faucher, director and forest engineer at the Appalachian Private Forest Development Agency (AMVAP).

Despite its name, the spruce budworm mainly attacks fir, which is less resistant than spruce.

In a private forest in Saint-Damase-de-L’Islet, the forest engineer takes a branch in his hand.

We see that the annual shoots were nibbled by the insect in June, repeated attacks on our tree which will lose its energy and which could end up withering and dyinghe explains.

The importance of taking action

To the question: Does the situation worry you?Jean-Pierre Faucher responds: Yes, but not that much. The insect is native to Quebec, he expected its presence sooner or later.

The spruce budworm is wreaking havoc in several regions of Quebec, the most affected being Abitibi-Témiscamingue. But it is the epidemic observed in Bas-Saint-Laurent since 2012 which has spread to Chaudière-Appalaches.

The important thing is to monitor it, to help owners harvest the wood that is most affectedexplains the director ofAMVAP. After a certain time, the fir dies and loses its qualities for sawing, according to him.

Thinning and salvage cutting can restrict the insect’s larder.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests also helps field workers by collecting branches to assess the larvae population in the laboratory.

This operation allows them to have a good idea of ​​the progress of the insect.

In the west of the province, last year, more than 600 larvae were counted on a 75 cm branch in one area. If we extrapolate to the scale of a population, that’s quite impressive quantities of butterflies.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is carrying out aerial surveys by mapping the damage.

Aerial spraying of a biological insecticide was carried out this summer to limit the impact of the epidemic, in 10 regions of Quebec.

Regardless of the interventions we are going to make, given that it is part of our ecosystems, the insect helps the forests to regenerate. […]so it is unthinkable to eliminate itexplains Cédric Fournier.

Hence the importance of cohabitation, training and education to limit the damage. Figures for 2024 are expected shortly, but both men expect the budworm to continue its progression.

To do this, Jean-Pierre Faucher sends a message to forest owners who observe damage to their trees. Do not hesitate to contact us. Together, we will succeed in fighting this epidemic.