The spruce budworm is still gaining ground

The spruce budworm continues to expand significantly in Bas-Saint-Laurent. The 2024 portrait of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (New window) indicates that the areas reached have increased by almost 335% compared to last year.

The affected areas increased from 194,033 hectares in 2023 to 844,004 hectares in 2024, in the region. It’s about seven times the size of the MRC Basques.

The ministry indicates that the areas affected have also significantly increased in intensity. Infestation levels that have increased from moderate to severe represent more than 50% of defoliated areas.

Why is it gaining ground?

Elsewhere in Quebec, the observation is the same with an increase of 40% compared to last year. The infected areas in the province now reach 14,346,184 hectares.

The Society for the Protection of Forests Against Insects and Diseases (SOPFIM) notes a marked migration of the insect. It advanced 100 kilometers from the west this year and colonized new regions such as Lanaudière and La Mauricie.details its general director, Éric Lacroix, on the show Info-réveil.

The spruce budworm is the most destructive insect in coniferous stands in North America, the government points out. In Quebec, the caterpillar mainly consumes the annual foliage of balsam fir and white spruce.

An infestation can result in a large number of dead trees or a reduced annual growth rate.

The Quebec government has planned a sum of $59 million in 2024 for the fight against the spruce budworm, or $10 million more than planned.

However, it is impossible for the SOPFIM to treat all affected hectares of forest with a biological insecticide, says Mr. Lacroix. The organization thus selects more sensitive or high commercial value sectors for the forestry industry.

The general director points out that spruce budworm infestations follow a cycle of 30 to 35 years. This year, we reached a peak in terms of defoliated areaswarns Éric Lacroix. But the infestation will lose speed and an endemic period will follow. The insect will fall dormant and the impacts will be zerohe mentions.

With information from Éric Gagnon