Forest Insect and Disease Survey; Ontario, 1965 - NFIS

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Balsam-fir Sawfly, Neodiprion abietis complex
Population levels of this insect have remained low in the district since 1953.
A slight increase in numbers occurred in 1965 although defoliation was very light.
Small pockets of light infestation were recorded in Rogers and Nansen townships and
in Township 138. Small numbers were found in the remainder of the district.
collections were made in equal numbers from balsam fir and white spruce and fewer
from black spruce.
Red-headed Jack-pine Sawfly, Neodiprion virginianus complex
A review of past records shows that minor fluctuations in the population levels
of this sawfly have occurred in the district since 1954. Small numbers of colonies
were observed in Gurney and McMillan townships in 1965,
Weather retarded the development of this insect and collections of mid-instar
larvae were found as late as September 15. Three colonies of larvae moved to a tree
equipped with a funnel trap dropped from the foliage and died in the trap. On the
basis of this experiment only low numbers of larvae reached maturity in the district
in 1965.
The results of quantitative sampling are shown in Table 10.
colony counts of the Red-headed Jack-pine Sawfly on Ten Jack-pine
Trees at each Location in the Kapuskasing District in
1964 and 1965
TABLE 10
Location Av. d.b.h. No. of infested trees Av. No. of colonies per tree
(township) in inches 1964 1965 1964 1965
clavet
10 0 2,0 0.0
McMillan 3 1 3 0.2 0.3
Wicksteed 14 6 0 1.3 0.0
Gurney 3 8 1.4 0.4
Gill 3 3 0 0.6 0.0
Pitch Nodule Maker, Petrova albicapitana (Busck)
No appreciable change in population levels of this insect has occurred in the
district in recent years. Past records show that light infestations occurred at
scattered points in 1959. Only small numbers were observed between 1960 and 1964
but in 1965 nodules formed by the insect were abundant in a small jack pine
plantation in Fenton Township (Table 11). Elsewhere in the district numbers remained
low.