LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Hillier, Kirk
Roscoe, Lucas

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

The spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens), is a major defoliating pest of coniferous trees in North America. Defoliation of forests was limited to some degree in the early 1960s through the aerial application of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Over time, DDT and other broad-spectrum insecticides were replaced with insecticides that specifically target lepidopterous larvae ((Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, Btk) and tebufenozide). Since the 1950’s, research on more effective management strategies has occurred. In recent decades, substantial advances in pheromone-mediated trapping and mating disruption technologies have provided researchers with renewed hope for novel population control strategies of C. fumiferana. While the chemical ecology of spruce budworm is continually being studied, a detailed study of the antennal sensilla in adults has yet to be completed. In this thesis, we review the state of knowledge of C. fumiferana chemical ecology and behavioral responses to chemical stimuli. Further, extracellular single sensillum recordings (SSR) were used to determine the response of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the antennal sensilla of male and female C. fumiferana to host plant volatiles, and female sex pheromones with a range of concentrations. Together, these data will improve knowledge of mechanisms by which adult C. fumiferana respond to pheromone and host plant volatiles and will provide insights that may improve development of IPM strategies based on the chemical ecology of spruce budworm.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3745