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Impact of Temperature on Spruce Budworm Performance Across Coniferous Species
E.BARI, E.DESPLAND, A.DESLAURIER
We conducted a comprehensive study to examine the interactions between insects and three coniferous tree species: White Spruce (Picea glauca), Black Spruce (Picea mariana), and Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), under two controlled temperature conditions: Normal and Warm (Normal plus 3°C). Utilizing 30 years of climate data from the Begtoville station, we established a baseline to simulate historical temperature trends. Growth chambers were employed to precisely regulate temperature as well as to simulate natural day and night photoperiods. The primary objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of increased temperature on the performance and behavior of the Spruce Budworm (SBW) across the three tree species. Given the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, which is driving an upward trend in average temperatures, it is crucial to understand the adaptive responses of this significant forest pest to changing environmental conditions. Such insights will inform the development of strategic, preventive actions for the conservation of vulnerable forest ecosystems. To assess the environmental impact on SBW, we measured various performance metrics, including SBW consumption rates, weight gain, and frass production. Furthermore, we are conducting chemical analyses to explore the interaction between SBW and the chemical constituents of the host trees under the different temperature regimes. This multifaceted approach provides a deeper understanding of how specific insect behaviors are influenced by climatic changes under the temperature factor, thereby contributing to a predictive framework for forest pest management.
