• United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
  

Although a point of contention, it has been said that the spruce budworm is the most important defoliator of forest trees in North America. During 1974 the spruce budworm and its resultant impacts were experienced throughout most of the spruce-fir forests of the United States and Canada. The current infestation is more severe in eastern Canada and Maine than elsewhere. The situation in Canada can best be summarized by a remark made by a Canadian scientist when asked of the budworm status. His reply was that, among other things, the Provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec contain "wall to wall" budworm. In an attempt to reduce anticipated heavy budworm populations and to protect millions of acres of highly vulnerable spruce-fír forest, large-scale aerial spray programs are planned for eastern Canada and Maine during 1975. In support of the opening argument, since 1949, when the first operational aerial control project was undertaken in Oregon, more area has been sprayed for spruce budworm control than for any other forest insect.