• Peterson, John W.
  Pesticide Field Appraisals & Monitoring, Division of Wildlife Services
  

A cooperative pilot study was conducted in northern Maine in June 1967 to determine the effectiveness of Zectran in controlling spruce budworm and to evaluate any adverse effects on aquatic life and birds. According to U.S. Forest Service entomologists, the desired percent control (95%) of spruce budworm was not attained in this study.

There was no mortality of live-caged Eastern brook trout and population estimates before and after spraying were comparable. No significant changes inn either bottom or drift samples of aquatic insects were observed. Bird censuses before and after spraying showed almost the same number of birds and approximately the same percentage of recaptured birds in the study and control areas. Caged pigeons showed no visible effects from exposure to spray fallout and there was no abnormal behavior noted after the birds fed on corn exposed to Zectran.

It was concluded that Zectran applied as a low volume application at a rate of 0.15 pounds per acre had no adverse effect on aquatic or bird life in the study area.