• State of Maine, Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service
  

the spruce budworm has long been a threat to Maine forests. The tree damaging insect is most destructive in its larval stages, whit it consumes the needles of spruce and fir trees, causing them to turn brown and die. A healthy tree may well survive the initial budworm attack, but repeated attacks weaken and destroy one of Maine's most valuable resources--its spruce and fir trees.