• Entomology Laboratory
  Maine Bureau of Forestry
  

The spruce budworm has long been recognized as a regular component of Maine's spruce-fir forests. Under normal (endemic) conditions populations of this insect are often so low as to be difficult to detect. Periodically, however, the budworm undergoes a populations explosion (epidemic) and becomes so abundant that serious feeding damage occurs. We are in the midst of such an epidemic now and budworm feeding damage which is moderate to severe over much of northern Maine has now posed a threat to ornamentals and plantation trees in southern Maine. The prime concern of the Christmas tree plantation owner, wreath maker, and homeowner is attractive to foliage; therefore to these people budworm feeding damage in any degree is less acceptable that in the case of forest trees. Weekly forest-insect and disease conditions from Maine Forest Service for summer 1975 included.