Environment Environnement Canada Canada Canadian Service Forestry canadien des Service ! GREAT LAKES FOREST RESEARCH CENTRE CENTRE DE RECHERCHE FORESTIERE DES GRANDS LACS Results of forest insect and disease surveys in the NORTHEASTERN REGION of Ontario,1982 CARRIED OUT BY THE GREAT LAKES FOREST RESEARCH CENTRE IN COOPERATION WITH THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Canada saknight Typewritten Text 34604 saknight Typewritten Text SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS This report records forest insect and disease conditions in the Northeastern Region of Ontario in 1982. Populations of spruce budworm remained high in the Wawa District. In other areas, populations continued to decline but were still suffi ciently high to cause generally moderate-to-severe defoliation of balsam fir and spruce stands. Populations of the forest tent caterpillar con tinued to decline in the Espanola District. A reduction occurred in the area of infestation and population of birch skeletonizer this year although numbers remained sufficiently high to cause severe browning, especially along the north channel of Lake Huron. Ground surveys revealed a major reduction in populations of the spearmarked black moth in the Wawa District. White pine weevil was again present in high numbers and caused severe leader damage in many plantations. A small area north of Mattawa, North Bay District suffered severe damage in the form of uprooted trees and broken tops as a result of a tornado. Needle droop of pine caused by environmental conditions affected many red and white pine plantations throughout the Region. A higher incidence of needle casts on pine was recorded and infection levels of tip and shoot blights were comparable with those of the previous year. Special surveys were conducted to determine the extent of Dutch elm dis ease, the abundance of the fungus-carrying beetles, and the impact of pests on jack pine cones and seeds, and to evaluate insect and disease conditions in jack pine plantations. Forest insects and diseases are rated according to their impact (or potential impact) as follows: Major Insects or Diseases Capable of causing serious injury to or death of living trees or shrubs. Minor Insects or Diseases* Capable of sporadic or localized injury but not usually a serious threat to living trees or shrubs. Other Forest Insects/Diseases (Tables) These tables provide information on two types of pests: 1) those which are of minor importance and have not been shown to cause serious damage to forest trees, and 2) those which are capable of causing serious damage but, because of low populations or for other reasons, did not cause serious damage in 1982. * No minor insects or diseases were reported in the Northeastern Region in 1982. Frontispiece Needle droop of pine Wind damage (^ Another feature of this report is that each pest is listed in the Table of Contents according to occurrence in Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) districts. We wish to report the retirement of Mr. K% C. (Ken) Hall, supervisor of the Northeastern Region, on 29 October 1982. Ken started as a technician with the Forest Insect and Disease Survey Unit in 1947 and his accumulated knowledge, supervisory ability and personal integrity will be greatly missed. The excellent cooperation and assistance of OMNR personnel and woods operators are gratefully acknowledged. /!$HP\ K. C. Hall E. J. Czerwinski L. S. MacLeod V. Jansons TABLE OF CONTENTS /ffp^ Page INSECTS Major Insects Pine Spittlebug, Aphrophora cribrata . . 1 (Blind River, Espanola, Sault Ste. Marie, Temagami and Sudbury districts) Birch Skeletonizer, Bucculatrix canadensiselta 1 (All districts) Maple Leafroller, Cenopis acerivorana ..... 1 (Sault Ste. Marie District) Large Aspen Tortrix, Choristoneura conflictana 3 (Sudbury and North Bay districts) Spruce Budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana .......... 3 (All districts) Pine Needle Midge, Contarinia baeri 3 (Espanola and North Bay districts) Oak Leaf Shredder, Croesia semipurpurana ..... 4 (Blind River, Espanola and Sault Ste. Marie districts) Eastern Pine Shoot Borer, Eucosma gloriola 4 (Blind River, North Bay and Temagami districts) Birch Leafminer, Fenusa pusilla ..... 4 (All districts) Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar 5 (All districts) Forest Tent Caterpillar, Malacosma disstria 5 (Espanola District) Redheaded Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei 8 (Blind River, North Bay and Sudbury districts) Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion swainei 9 (Temagami District) Aspen Leafblotch Miner, Phyllonorycter Ontario ....... 9 (All districts) White Pine Weevil, Pissodes strobi 10 (All districts) (continued) TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page INSECTS (concluded) Major Insects (concluded) Mountain-ash Sawfly, Pristiphora geniculata . 10 (All districts) Spearmarked Black Moth, Rheumaptera hastata 10 (Blind River, Espanola, Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa districts) Other forest insects 12 TREE DISEASES Major Diseases Sweetfern Blister Rust, Cronartium comptoniae 16 (Espanola District) Needle Cast, Davisomycella ampla 16 (Blind River, North Bay and Sudbury districts) Scleroderris Canker of Pine, Gremmeniella abietina 16 (Blind River District) Needle Cast, Lophodermium sp 16 (Blind River, Espanola, North Bay and Sudbury districts) Needle Cast, Lophodermium pinastri 17 (Sault Ste. Marie District) Other forest diseases 1° Abiotic Damage Frost Damage 19 (Blind River, Espanola, Sudbury and Wawa districts) Needle Droop of Pine I9 (Blind River District) Scorch Injury ^ (Blind River, Espanola, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Wawa districts 20 (continued) /**8^\ TABLE OF CONTENTS (concluded) /0^\ Page Abiotic Damage (concluded) Wind Damage "" 20 (North Bay District) Winter Drying ...........••• 20 (North Bay District) Special Surveys Dutch Elm Disease, Ceratocystis ulmi ..... 20 (All districts) Jack Pine Seed and Cone Pests 0 ......... . 24 (Blind River, Espanola and Temagami districts) C Jack Pine Plantations .... .......... 24 (Blind River, Espanola, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Wawa districts) r /fifes*^ INSECTS Major Insects Pine Spittlebug, Aphrophora cribrata (Wlk.) Populations of this insect persisted in several plantations throughout the Region. High populations were found in a private semi- mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation on the Maki Road in the city of Sault Ste. Marie. For the second consecutive year quantita tive counts revealed that 83% of the Scots pine trees were lightly infested in Billings Township, Espanola District. Elsewhere-, trace-to-low numbers recurred in plantations and natural jack pine (P. banksiana Lamb.) regeneration throughout Blind River, Espanola, Sudbury and Temagami districts. Birch Skeletonizer, Bucculatrix canadensisella Cham. A marked decrease in the population level and area of severe defoliation occurred in the Region in 1982. In 1981, very high populations from Echo Bay, Sault Ste. Marie District east to the Ottawa River, North Bay District caused severe browning and premature leaf drop on white birch {Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and yellow birch (S. alleghaniensis Britton). In addition, several small pockets of heavy infestation were present in the northern Sault Ste. Marie District, along with a single pocket in Wawa District. In 1982, populations declined to light levels in all areas except along the North Channel, where heavy skeletonizing was mapped in a narrow band extending east from Echo Bay, Sault Ste. Marie District through Elliot Lake, Blind River District to just south of Sudbury, Sudbury Dis trict. The area of heavy damage continued north to the eastern portion of Wanapitae Lake, terminating in McConnell and Sheppard townships, Sudbury District. Elsewhere severe defoliation occurred in an area south and west of Latchford in the Temagami District and in small isolated areas near White River in McCron and Cecile townships, Wawa District (Fig. 1). Severe skeletonizing of birch stands in 1982 totalled 962,983 ha in comparison with 2,477,000 ha in 1981. Outbreaks of this insect occur at frequent intervals and are gen erally shortlived, although repeated heavy defoliation may seriously weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to other detrimental insects or diseases. NORTHEASTERN REGION Figure 1. Kilometres LAKE HURON J Birch Skeletonizer, Bucculatrix aanadensisella Cham. Areas within which severe defoliation occurred in 1982 ) ro /0^\ Maple Leafroller, Cenopis acerivorana Mack. For the third consecutive year infestations were recorded at Kinsmen Park, along the Shultz Road, Highway 17 north.and the 5th Line in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Sault Ste. Marie District. The heaviest foliar damage occurred on red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sugar maple (A. saccharum Marsh.) along the Shultz Road, whereas in the other areas, populations were reduced to light-to-moderate levels. Large Aspen Tortrix, Choristoneura conflictana (Wlk.) For several years high populations have caused moderate-to-severe damage to trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in portions of Jennings, Casimir and Dunnet townships, Sudbury District in conjunction with the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hbn. In 1982 the collapse of forest tent caterpillar populations made the large aspen tortrix the major contributing factor to moderate defoliation in the above-mentioned townships. As well, light damage was recorded in por tions of Casimir and Dunnet townships, Sudbury District and in Hugel Township, North Bay District. Elsewhere, trace-to-low numbers were recorded in Denison Township, Sudbury District where small-diameter trembling aspen sustained light damage. * In both infestations the leafrollers Pseudexentera oregonana Wlshm. and Compsolechia niveopulvella Chamb. were present and contributed to the total defoliation. Spruce Budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) The results of damage surveys, population sampling, and egg-mass counts will be included with those of other regions in a special report to be published later this year. That report will provide a complete description and analysis of developments in the spruce budworm situation in Ontario in 1982 and will give infestation forecasts for the province for 1983. Pine Needle Midge, Contarinia baeri (Prell) This insect caused conspicuous damage at scattered locations in the North Bay and Espanola districts. Quantitative counts taken on red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) dis closed that the heaviest damage occurred in Nairn Township, Espanola District where 87% of the trees had 90% of the current foliage affected. In South Himsworth, Nipissing, and Gurd townships, North Bay District damage levels on smaller trees were low. The most serious impact of midge attack is on the aesthetic value of trees. Heavy infestations are generally confined to slow-growing trees and repeated attack may severely injure or kill branches. Oak Leaf Shredder, Croesia semipurpurana (Kft.) Little change occurred in the status of this serious defoliator in the Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River districts, although populations were reduced in the Espanola District. In 1982 noteworthy populations were observed on red oak (Quercus rubra L.) in Striker, Long and Thessalon townships in Blind River District and at Kinsmen Park in the city of Sault Ste. Marie and in Hilton Township in Sault Ste. Marie District. Quantita tive counts revealed that between 51% and 88% of leaves were attacked; however, the average foliar damage was recorded at approximately 27% in all areas sampled. Infestations on Manitoulin Island in the Espanola District declined to low levels. Eastern Pine Shoot Borer, Eucosma gloriola Heinr. Low populations of this insect recurred in pine plantations and natural regeneration throughout the Region. The most serious damage « occurred on jack pine plantations in Barr and Aston townships, Temagami District where 15% and 12% of the leaders, respectively, were killed. Elsewhere, quantitative sampling on red pine showed an average of 3.3 lateral shoots affected on 63% of the trees in Patton Township, Blind River District and 29% of the trees in Gurd Township in North Bay District were lightly affected. No terminal mortality occurred in the two latter plantations although there was 11% leader damage in Patton Township, Blind River district in 1981. Birch Leafminer, Fenusa pusilla (Lep.) As in 1981, high populations of this miner were common throughout the Region. Heavily damaged white birch foliage was conspicuous in the Latchford-Tri-Town area of the Temagami District for the second consecu tive year. Severe browning has persisted for the past several years on open-grown white birch in Fenwick Township, Sault Ste. Marie District and along the Sturgeon River and in the Powassan area of North Bay District. A high incidence of mines was recorded elsewhere throughout the working area. Concern by the Latchford town council was expressed in a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources requesting a survey to determine the extent of white birch mortality caused by the miner. Outbreaks occur fre quently in this region and result in the obvious browning of ornamental ^ birch and birch stands over large areas. Some tree mortality may occur, but the greatest damage is the weakening of affected trees, which leads to attack by other insects. Jflpfc\ zfip^ Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) For several years gypsy moth pheromone traps have been deployed in the provincial parks in the Northeastern Region. These pheromone traps contain a synthetic sex attractant which attracts the male moth. Traps are placed near the entrances to parks and in campgrounds in order to detect the presence of gypsy moths which may have been carried there on vehicles and camping equipment. . This insect, which is probably one of the most destructive forest pests in North America, prefers oaks and maples but will defoliate a number of other deciduous and coniferous hosts. In 1981 pheromone traps were deployed no later than 15 July in all provincial parks in this Region. Male moths were captured in Obatanga Provincial Park, Wawa District and Windy Lake Provincial Park, Sudbury District. Ten pheromone traps were located at these two provincial parks in 1982, in addition to the usual two traps located in each of the other parks in the Region. To supplement these traps and to improve sampling techniques burlap larval traps placed on the trunks of suspect hardwoods were deployed at nine locations throughout the Region for the purpose of detecting late-instar larvae (Fig. 2). Results from the burlap strip traps, which were visited at least three times during the early summer, were negative. In 1982 all pheromone traps were also negative except in White Lake Provincial Park, Wawa District where one male moth was collected (Table 1). It is anticipated that both the pheromone and burlap strip traps will be located in suspect areas across the Region in the 1983 field season. Forest Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hbn. Populations of this damaging insect declined for the second con secutive year. The total area of moderate-to-severe defoliation of trembling aspen in 1982 was 6,233 ha, a substantial decrease from 69,811 ha and 121,542 ha in 1981 and 1980, respectively. Separate infestations which occurred in 1981 in Denison and Drury townships and in Casimir, Jennings and Dunnet townships, Sudbury District collapsed this year. Field observations revealed very low numbers of larvae in both these areas. Ground and aerial surveys disclosed that the only area of appreciable damage was in a band following the highway cor ridor between the towns of Espanola and Massey and encompassing parts of Merritt, Hallam, May and Shakespeare townships, Espanola District. Examination of egg bands at four locations for forecast purposes indicates that the infestation will continue to decline in all areas except in Hallam Township where individual trees may sustain severe damage (see Table 2). Kilometres ) NORTHEASTERN REGION PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS WAWA SAULT STE. MARIE BLIND RIVER ESPANOLA SUDBURY TEMAGAMI NORTH BAY Figure 2, • , •& Sudbury LAKE HURON Gypsy Moth, tymantvia diapar (L.) 1982 Pheromone trap locations Burlap strip trap locations o> 4^\ J!*^\ Table 1. Summary of gypsy moth pheromone trap locations, year in which positive male moths were collected, and number of burlap traps deployed in the Northeastern Region. Location No. of phero mone traps deployed (1982) Year in which male moths were collected No. of burlap traps deployed (1982) Wawa District White Lake Prov. Park Obatanga Prov. Park Rabbit Blanket Lk. Cp. Gnd. Agawa Bay Park Crescent Lake Park 2 10 2 2 2 1982 1981 1980 10 Sault Ste. Marie District Pancake Prov. Park Gros Cap Kinsmen Park Hilton Township Park 2 2 2 2 (1 van dalized) 10 10 5 Blind River District Mississagi Prov. Park Thessalon Township Park Long Township Park 2 2 1 10 10 Espanola District Chutes Prov. Park 2 (1 van dalized) Sudbury District Halfway Lake Prov. Park Windy Lake Prov. Park Fairbanks Prov. Park Killarney Prov. Park 10 (3 van- 1981 dalized) 2 2 North Bay District Antoine Prov. Park 2 Martin River Prov. Park 2 Restoule Prov. Park 2 Samuel de Champlain Prov. Park 2 Temagami District Finlayson Prov. Park 10 10 10 Table 2. Summary of forest tent caterpillar egg-band counts and infes tation forecasts for 1983 in the Northeastern Region (counts based on the examination of three trembling aspen trees per location). Location (Twp) Avg DBH (cm) Avg no. of egg bands per tree Infestation forecast for 1983 Espanola District Hallam Twp, bottom street across bridge 10.1 7 severe10.1 7 severe 8.9 3 moderate 6.0 2 moderate 7.5 1 light Hallam Twp, River Valley Rd Merritt Twp, Old Webbwood Rd May Twp, Hwy 17 Redheaded Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) This insect caused varying levels of defoliation in the Sudbury District. Elsewhere in the Region, populations remained comparable to those of 1981 in intensity and distribution. The heaviest damage was encountered in Laura Township, Sudbury District where populations feeding in a 15-ha red pine plantation defoliated 24.5% of the foliage on 52% of the trees. Complete defoliation of trees 3 m in height occurred in several instances. Control measures are anticipated in 1983. High populations were also present in a smaller, private planta tion in South Himsworth Township, North Bay District where some trees 1-2 m high were completely stripped. A virus spray applied by OMNR was successful in eliminating the insect from this plantation. Lower levels recurred in Gurd, Butler and Nipissing townships, North Bay District (Table 3) and continued to cause concern in plantations in the Kirkwood Management Unit and Proctor Township, Blind River District. Colonies of this destructive pest were clipped and destroyed during plantation exam inations in the latter areas. Table 3. Summary of plantations damaged by the redheaded pine sawfly in the Northeastern Region in 1982. Location (Twp) Estimated trees/ha Host Height (•) Avg DBH (cm) Area affected (ha) Trees affected (%) Foliage affected (%) Sudbury District Laura 2,990 rP 6.8 12.4 15 • 52 24.5 North Bay District South Himsworth Nlpissing Gurd 2,990 2,990 2,990 rP rP rP 1.7 2.7 2o0 2.4 3.0 25 3.5 40 16c6 1.0 1.3 21 1 25 Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion swainei Midd. Several changes in the Swaine sawfly infestation in the Elk Lake Management Unit were noted in 1982. A general reduction in the intensity of the infestation was evident and defoliation was generally moderate, with pockets of severely stripped trees. The Banks-Wallis infestation expanded northward along the Makobe River to a point immediately north of Alexander Lake and westward several kilometres along Crane Creek. Cutting operations in the southwest sector have reduced the area of infestation to approximately 3,950 ha from the 4,660 ha recorded in 1981. Populations were much lower in the Lady Evelyn Lake infestation. Lightly infested trees were observed at several points around Big Boot Lake and through the eastern part of the area which was severely defoli ated in 1981. The total area of infestation at this location in 1982 was 701 ha, a reduction from the 1,035 ha recorded in 1981. Pockets of light-to-moderate defoliation occurred in the Gamble- McGiffin plantations in the Chalice Lake area. Scattered colonies were found in jack pine stands along the Beauty Lake road from Little Southbear Lake to the south branch of the Lady Evelyn River. Pockets of lightly defoliated trees were also observed on several islands in Lake Temagami. Aspen Leafblotch Miner, Phyllonorycter Ontario (Free.) For the past several years the only noteworthy populations of this miner have occurred on small, open-growing trees in the Kirkwood Management Unit in Blind River District. 10 In 1982 a dramatic increase in population densities and spread of infestation was evident when high numbers were found throughout the Wawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River and Temagami districts on small- diameter, open-growing trembling aspen. Similar mining on large- diameter aspen was noted in Rose and Kirkwood townships, Blind River District, in Cameron Township, North Bay District and in Weeks, Mandamin and Boon townships, Espanola District. White Pine Weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck) This insect continued to be of major importance in a number of pine plantations in the Region. Quantitative counts of leader damage to white pine (Pinus strobus L.) in Blind River, Espanola, North Bay and Sudbury districts revealed leader damage ranging from 27% to 68% (Table 4) Weeviling increased on white pine and decreased on jack pine and red pine in 1982 in plantations that can be compared. A new sample area in a jack pine plantation in Norman Township, Sudbury District had 16% incidence. Damage to white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) remained low in Bryant Township, Wawa District. Mountain-ash Sawfly, Pristiphora geniculata (Htg.) Feeding damage by this pest of ornamental trees was reported from all areas in the Region. Severe defoliation recurred throughout Lake Superior Provincial Park and along Highway 17 west of Wawa, Wawa District. Moderate-to-severe damage resulted from high numbers on mountain-ash (Sorbus americana Marsh.) trees throughout the Espanola, Sudbury, North Bay and Temagami districts. Defoliation ranged from 50% to 100%. Else where in the Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River districts defoliation was lighter, ranging from 25% to 50%. Second-generation larvae were observed feeding in Temagami late in September. Spearmarked Black Moth, Rheumaptera hastata (Linn.) The high populations which caused heavy damage in the Wawa Dis trict in 1981 declined to low levels in 1982. Large numbers of adults observed in the vicinity of Lake Superior Provincial Park, the town of Wawa and the Frater area in June 1982 indicated a continuation and spread of infestation. Larval samples taken later revealed the presence of a virus disease which may have contributed to the reduction of antici pated populations. Although no areas of heavy damage were observed, trace-to-low numbers were found on white and yellow birch throughout Lake Superior Provincial Park, Wawa District, in Weeks and Avis town ships, Espanola District, and at numerous points in the Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River districts. ylflSBfcV Table 4. Summary of white pine weevil damage in plantations in the Northeastern Region, 1980-1982. Location (Twp) Wawa District Bryant Blind River District Lefroy Patton Patton Rose Espanola District Merritt Foster Victoria Sudbury District Burwash Norman North Bay District Badgerow Boulter Butler Gurd McLaren Temagami District Aston Barr Host wS Avg height (m) 3.5 Area affected (ha) 20 Estimated trees/ha 2,990 Leaders affected (%) 1980 1981 1982 wP 3.4 25 2,990 79 52 60 scP 3.1 8 2,990 - 44 55 rP 3.1 50 2,990 - 2 2 JP 3.5 5 1,000 — . 33 18 wP 4.0 25 1,800 75 58 67 wP 2.7 25 2,500 - - 45 wP 5.1 2 4,306 35 31 27 wP 1.3 12 1,800 40 46 54 JP 2.1 50 2,990 "~ 16 wP 3.8 10 1,800 23 48 , 68 wP 5.6 5 1,682 - - 66 wP 1.8 20 1,700 - - 34 wP 3.7 5 2,990 - 18 53 wP 2.4 10 2,800 "~ " 45 JP 3.7 25 2,990 __ 12 5 JP 2.3 200 2,990 21 7 Table 5. Other forest insects. Insect Acleris variana (Fern.) Eastern blackheaded budworm Acrobasis betulella Hist. Birch tubemaker Altica ambiens alni Harr. Alder flea beetle Altica populi Brown Poplar flea beetle Archips argyrospilus (Wlk.) Fruittree leafroller Archips cerasivoranus (Fitch) Uglynest caterpillar Cephalcia frontalis Westw. Pine webspinning sawfly Cephalcia fulviceps Roh. Pine webspinning sawfly Cephalcia marginata Midd. Red pine webspinning sawfly 12 Host(s) wS wB Remarks low numbers recovered from beating samples taken in Servos Twp, Sudbury Dis trict and at scattered loca tions along the West Bay Penage Road, Foster Twp, Espanola District low levels in most birch stands in the Temagami District Al Unusually high numbers caused conspicuous defolia tion at several points in the Temagami District. bPo A 2-ha statld was heavily affected on Manitoulin Island, Espanola District. rO moderate population levels on mature trees in Gladstone Twp, Blind River District cCh High numbers persisted west of St. Charles, Appleby Twp, Sudbury District and in rural areas around New Liskeard, Temagami District* rP individual colonies found in Attlee Twp, Sudbury District jP one colony found on jack pine in Capreol Twp, Sudbury District rP light damage recorded in small private plantation in Nipissing Twp, North Bay District (continued) j0^»\ 13 Table 5. Other forest insects (continued), Insect Chrysomela walshi Brown Balsam poplar leaf beetle Host(s) Remarks bPo light-to-moderate feeding at many points in the Temagami District Coleophora laricella (Hbn.) tL Larch casebearer low numbers recorded in Tehkummah Twp, Espanola District and in Hugel Twp, North Bay District appreciable shoot mortality in plantations in the Temagami District low numbers on sugar maple along Hwy 17 in Cameron Twp, North Bay District and on St. Joseph Island, Sault Ste. Marie District Conophthorus banksianae jP Jack pine tip beetle Dryocampa rubicunda rubicunda sM (Fabr.) Greenstriped mapleworm Epinotia aceriella (Clem.) Maple trumpet skeletonizer Epinotia solandriana Linn. Birch-aspen leafroller Eucordylea resinosae Free. Red pine needleminer Eupareophora parca (Cress.) Spiny ash sawfly sM low-to-moderate numbers encountered in Dawson Twp, Espanola District and light defoliation in Hilton Twp, Sault Ste. Marie District wB low numbers in most stands in Temagami and Espanola districts rP "low numbers, but common around Lake Temagami bAs light defoliation in most ash stands in the Temagami District Malacosoma americanum F. cCh, pCh Eastern tent caterpillar scattered moderate defolia tion on roadside stands in Espanola and North Bay districts (continued) 14 Table 5. Other forest insects (continued). Insect Nematus limbatus Cress. Willow sawfly Neodiprion nanulus nanulus Schedl. Red pine sawfly Neodiprion pratti banksianae Roh. Jack pine sawfly Neodiprion virginianus complex Redheaded jack pine sawfly Host(s) W jP, rP JP JP Oligonychus ununguis (Jac.) tL Spruce spider mite Paraprociphilus tessellatus sM (Fitch) Woolly alder aphid Phratora purpurea purpurea tA Brown Aspen skeletonizer Phyllobius oblongus (Linn.) wE European snout beetle Pikonema alaskensis (Roh.) wS Yellowheaded spruce sawfly Remarks low levels at many points in the Temagami District Unusually high numbers caused appreciable defoli ation in many areas in the Region. Understory regeneration sustained 57% defoliation on 49% of the trees at scattered locations through out Obatanga Prov. Park, Wawa District. occasional colonies found in Halfway Lake Provincial Park, Antrim Twp, Sudbury District whole trees or portions affected in Curtin Twp, Espanola District ornamental trees heavily affected in Coniston, Sudbury District present in varying numbers in most aspen stands in the Temagami District high populations recorded on semimature trees in Gurd Twp, North Bay District 10% to 80% defoliation reported on a hedgerow of young growth in Dahl Twp, Wawa District; low-to- moderate numbers found elsewhere in Region (continued) /rSHiK /QK$&k\ 15 Table 5. Other forest insects (concluded). Insect Pikonema dimmockii (Cress.) Greenheaded spruce sawfly Profenusa thomsoni (Konow) Ambermarked birch leafminer Psilocorsis reflexella Clem. Twoleaf tier Saperda calcarata Say Poplar borer Sciaphila duplex Wlshm. Spotted aspen leafroller Zale duplicata largera Sm. Pine false looper Host(s) Remarks wS trace numbers recovered from beating samples in Servos Twp, Sudbury District wB low numbers throughout the Temagami District tA common in most aspen stands in the Temagami District tA low populations on small- diameter trees scattered throughout the Sudbury District rO moderate population levels on mature trees in Long Twp, Blind River District jP trace numbers found on young jack pine in Lome Twp, Sudbury District 16 TREE DISEASES Major Diseases Sweetfern Blister Rust, Cronartium comptoniae Arth. A pocket of moderate infection by this disease, which causes basal cankers, was re-evaluated in Merritt Township, Espanola District. The semimature jack pine stand of approximately 50 ha had 10% of the stems affected, in comparison with 8% in 1981. This disease is known to be widespread in the Region at varying levels, and in young jack pine stands where sweetfern is present, significant damage can occur. Needle Cast, Davisomycella ampla (Davis) Darker An increase in incidence across the Region was recorded in 1982. The only high level of foliar damage was recorded in Gladstone Township, Blind River District where jack pine 9 m high sustained 22% foliar damage on 95% of the trees. Light levels of foliar damage were recorded on jack pine in Rose Township, Blind River District, in Antrim Township, Sudbury District, and in Boulter Township, North Bay District. Scleroderris Canker of Pine, Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet Higher incidence was recorded in 1982 than in 1981 at pine plan tations in the Blind River District. In a 5-ha jack pine plantation in Rose Township, 5% foliar damage was recorded on 100% of the trees. Simi larly, a red pine plantation in Rose Township suffered 5% foliar damage on 84% of the trees. Elsewhere in the Blind River District incidence ranged from 7% to 38% with 1% to 5% foliar damage on immature red pine. Occasional infected trees were found elsewhere in the Region. Needle Cast, Lophodermium sp. General surveys revealed a recurrence of high levels of infection on red pine and jack pine throughout the Region. The most severe situa tion was in a 20-ha jack pine plantation in Boulter Township, North Bay District. Severe infection was recorded on 75% of the trees with an average of 65% foliar damage, although some trees sustained foliar damage as high as 95%. Many insects such as Ips pini Say, Hylurgops pinifex (Fitch), and Pissodes affinis Rand., in conjunction with a needle cast and an off-site condition of jack pine, have contributed to the 24% mor tality recorded. Similarly, in Bridgland Township, Blind River District a 300-ha jack pine plantation had 58% of the foliage damaged on 100% of the trees. Elsewhere in the Region many red pine plantations suffered high levels of infection (Table 6). ^ 17 Table 6. Summary of needle cast, Lophodermium sp. In the Northeastern Region in 1982. damage in pine plantations at eight locations Location (Twp) Host Area affected (ha) Avg height (m) Avg DBH (cm) Estimated trees/ ha Trees affected (%) Foliage damaged (%) Blind River District Bridgland JP 300 13 19.3 700 100 58 Espanola District Tennyson rP 10 1.8 2.8 2,990 5 1 Sudbury District Burwash rP 20 3.4 6.9 2,500 35 25 North Bay District Boulter Gurd Nlplssing Scholes South Himsworth JP rP rP rP rP 20 40 4 2 25 12o4 2.0 2.7 2o4 1.7 18.3 2.9 4.8 4.6 2.4 1,121 2,990 2,990 2,990 2,990 75 91 80 10 50 65 28 27 5 18 The needle cast, Lophodermium sp., is not known to be a serious threat to forest trees. Previous heavy damage has been a problem only in nurseries and Christmas tree plantations. Needle Cast, Lophodermium pinastri (Schrad. ex Hook.) Chev. This disease was recorded in Blind River and Sault Ste. Marie districts. In Rose, Kirkwood and Patton townships, Blind River District, red pine plantations suffered varying levels of damage, with 11% to 81% of the trees sustaining an average of 10% foliar damage. In Jocelyn Township, Sault Ste. Marie District 100% of the trees in a 10-ha red pine plantation had 20% of the foliage affected. Lighter levels of infection were common elsewhere in the Region. Table 7. Other forest diseases. Organism Chrysomyxa ledi (Alb. & Schw.) d By. Needle rust Ciborinia whetzelii (Seaver) Seaver Ink spot of poplar Coleosporium asterum (Diet.) Syd. Needle rust Discula sp. A leaf spot Gelatinosporium sp. Eypoderma sp, Isthmiella faullii (Darker) Darker Needle cast 18 Host(s) wS Remarks High incidence persisted in a white spruce plantation in Lendrum Twp, Wawa Dis trict. The level of infec tion was generally light but occasional trees were heavily infected. tA trace levels of infection at one location in Hanmer Twp, Sudbury District jP, rP high incidence on jack pine in Proctor Twp, Blind River District where damage was confined to lower branches; trace levels found in red pine plantations in Patton Twp, Blind River District sM moderate damage on a few scattered sugar maple trees in Poster Twp, Espanola District scP occurs commonly in a private Scots pine plantation on the Maki side road in Sault Ste. Marie wP high incidence in Weinberger Plantation in Kirkwood Management Unit, Blind River District bF Moderate damage occurred on understory balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) at Kinsmen Park, Sault Ste. Marie (continued) //$iifekv 19 Table 7. Other forest diseases (concluded) Organism Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey Blossom and twig blight Venturia macularis (Fr.) E. Muell. & Arx Shoot tip blight Host(s) Remarks pCh occasional pockets of infec tion along Hwy 17 north of Sault Ste. Marie from Pancake Bay to Wawa; very high incidence at one loca tion on the Gros Cap Indian Reserve in Wawa District tA, LA trace level of infection recorded in Antoine Township, North Bay District Abiotic Damage Frost Damage Damage levels ranging from 10% to 25% (on new growth) occurred on 100% of the immature white spruce trees planted in Kirkwood, Houghton, and Parkinson townships, Blind River District and in Peever and Lendrum townships, Wawa District. The only area in which frost was observed to have caused damage to mature hosts was in Peever Township, Wawa District where 25% of the new shoots were affected. Elsewhere trace-to-moderate damage was recorded in the Espanola and Sudbury districts, on a wide variety of small-diameter hosts. Needle Droop of Pine A needle droop condition caused serious damage to a number of red pine and white pine plantations including natural regeneration in the Region. The symptoms were the same at all locations examined. The droop condition occurs after the succulent tissue near the needle base dies. Only the current year's foliage is affected as mature needles do not have the succulent growing portion that is susceptible to drying (see Frontis piece) . Trees over 2 m high are rarely affected. The most severely affected area was a 50-ha red pine plantation in Houghton Township, Blind River District where 84% of the foliage was affected on 100% of the trees. High incidence ranging from 80% to 96% and 30%-38% foliar damage were recorded in several other red pine plantations in Parkinson, Galbraith and Rose townships, Blind River District. In Wells and Rose 2 0 t o w n s h i p s , B l i n d R i v e r D i s t r i c t l i g h t e r d a m a g e w a s r e c o r d e d (5% f o l i a r d a m a g e o n 20% to 50% o f the trees). T h e c o n d i t i o n b e c a m e a p p a r e n t i n t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f S e p t e m b e r o n r e d p i n e a n d n o t u n t i l t h e e n d o f O c t o b e r o n w h i t e pine. E l s e w h e r e i n the R e g i o n s i m i l a r d a m a g e a t t r a c e l e v e l s o c c u r r e d o n r e d p i n e . S c o r c h I n j u r y E x t e n s i v e m a p l e d a m a g e i n t h e f o r m o f l e a f s c o r c h s i m i l a r t o t h a t r e c o r d e d i n t h e R e g i o n i n 1 9 7 2 o c c u r r e d t h i s y e a r . T h i s e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n c a u s e d b y e x p o s u r e o f t h e f o l i a g e t o b r i g h t s u n s h i n e a n d h i g h w i n d s f o l l o w i n g a w e t , c l o u d y p e r i o d w a s c o n c l u d e d t o b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e i n j u r y . D a m a g e w a s a p p a r e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e B l i n d R i v e r , E s p a n o l a , S a u l t S t e . M a r i e , S u d b u r y , N o r t h B a y a n d s o u t h e r n W a w a d i s t r i c t s . T h e m o s t s e v e r e d a m a g e o c c u r r e d i n s t a n d s g r o w i n g o n h i g h e r s i t e s . W i n d D a m a g e O n 1 9 A u g u s t 1 9 8 2 h i g h w i n d s c a u s e d e x t e n s i v e d a m a g e o n f o r e s t e d l a n d i n M a t t a w a n a n d F r e n c h t o w n s h i p s , N o r t h B a y D i s t r i c t . D a m a g e i n t h e f o r m o f b l o w d o w n , u p r o o t e d t r e e s a n d b r o k e n t o p s w a s s e v e r e a n d e x t e n d e d i n s t r i p s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 . 6 k m l o n g a n d 0 . 8 k m w i d e i n M a t t a w a n T o w n s h i p a n d 2 . 0 k m l o n g a n d 0 . 2 k m w i d e i n F r e n c h T o w n s h i p ( s e e F r o n t i s p i e c e ) . T h e a r e a h a s b e e n l i c e n s e d b y O M N R f o r s a l v a g i n g p u r p o s e s a n d h a r v e s t i n g h a s b e g u n . W i n t e r D r y i n g M o d e r a t e d a m a g e w a s r e c o r d e d o n r e d p i n e i n G u r d T o w n s h i p , N o r t h B a y D i s t r i c t a n d a l o n g t h e m a i n h i g h w a y s i n t h e R e g i o n . S p ecia l S u rveys D u t c h E l m Disease, C era to cy stis u lm i (Buism.) C. M o r e a u T h i s y e a r , a s p a r t o f a n a t i o n a l p r o g r a m , a s u r v e y w a s c o n d u c t e d t o c o l l e c t i n f o r m a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n a n d c u r r e n t i n c i d e n c e o f D u t c h e l m d i s e a s e a n d t h e t w o i n s e c t v e c t o r s o f t h e f u n g u s , t h e n a t i v e elm bark beetle, R ylu rgop in u s ru fip es (Eich.) (hereafter r e f e r r e d to a s N.E.B.B.) a n d the s m a l l e r E u r o p e a n elm b a r k beetle, S co ly tu s m u ltistria tu s ( M a r s h . ) ( h e r e a f t e r S . E . E . B . B . ) . T h r o u g h o u t t h e N o r t h e a s t e r n R e g i o n f i v e p h e r o m o n e t r a p s w e r e deployed in each district, in an attempt to attract the S.E.E.B.B. (Fig. 3). These traps were located within 300 m of live or dying elms (U lm us spp.) 21 and were mounted on utility poles or tree species other than elm. The traps and pheromone baits were installed by the second week in June and, where possible, were examined weekly until the end of September. In an effort to determine the distribution of either species of beetle trap logs were set out at five sites and were examined later for evidence of attack (Fig. 3). At each site two logs were set out, off the ground and, as in the case of S.EoE.B.B., near living or dying elms. These logs were set out early in June and were examined and replaced during mid-July. In mid-September they were once again evaluated for the presence of the DED vectors. Results from both pheromone traps and the trap logs in the Northeastern Region were negative. The survey provided quantitative information on the abundance of mature and juvenile elm affected by Dutch elm disease at 37 locations. It consisted of the evaluation of 18 urban and 9 rural locations, and 10 juvenile stands. Tables 8, 9 and 10 present the quantitative data collected. In all instances a minimum of 100 trees were examined except where elm historically did not exist or where elm trees were depleted. table 8. Summary of Dutch elm disease survey of elm in urban locations in Che Northeastern Region in 1982. District Number of trees sampled Percentage (Twp) Unaffected Diseased Dead affected Blind River District Blind River Elliot Lake Iron Bridge Thessalon 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 Espanola District Espanola Little Current Massey 28 0 24 • 4 0 2 0 0 0 12.5 0 7.7 North Bay District Cache Bay North Bay Powassan 0 96 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Sault Ste. Marie District Bruce Mines Sault Ste. Marie 0 150 0 <1 0 0 0 <1 Temagami District Cobalt Haileybury New Liskeard Temagami 0 7 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46.2 0 0 Wawa District Wawa White River 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 305 18 2 5.9 NORTHEASTERN REGION Figure 3. PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS LAKE SUPERIOR /'Sault Ste. (oMarie , iv "! • 3 64 /OCf^ Kilometres X \ LAKE HURON Dutch elm disease survey 1982 Quantitative counts . . . • Pheromone trap locations a Trap log locations . . . # to to 23 Table 9. Summary of Dutch elm disease surveys of elm in rural locations in the Northeastern Region in 1982. District Number of trees sampled Dead Percentage (Twp) Unaffected Diseased affected Blind River District Bright 1 Bright 2 Galbraith - 18 12 29 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.3 North Bay District Chisholm 1 Chishols 2 95 25 5 0 0 0 5.0 0 Sault Ste. Maria District Aberdeen St. Joseph 25 48 1 4 0 0 3.8 7.7 Sudbury District Hagar 252 5 0 2.0 Wawa District Labonte 18 32 0 64.0 Totals 522 48 0 8.4 • Table 10. Summary of Dutch elm disease surveys of juvenile elm stands in the Northeastern Region in 1982. District Number of trees samoled Percentage (Twp) Unaffected Diseased Dead affected- Blind River District Day 1 Day 2 Patton 180 102 64 2 0 0 0 0 0 1.1 0 0 Espanola District Howland Nairn 53 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 North Bay District Mattawan Pringle 132 104 3 7 0 0 2.2 6.3 Sault Ste. Marie District Jocelyn Meredith Wishart 104 123 98 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0.8 2.0 Totals 1,012 15 0 1.4 Juvenile stand classification was limited to stands with elms < 10 aa in diameter and > 2 m high. 24 Jack Pine Seed and Cone Pests ^ insects tj^^^:^^ -t t0 d e^ were made of 100 second-year cones which °f JaCk Pine' Collects green stage close to the full size tw Sti11 in the feculent first week of July, before the hardeninfl C°neSWere coll^ted in the *um of three trees representing the^SiT^ had begUn' from a**ni- zr^sr- — - ^ss weTLi ?«•£?« area i^^C^TSE^^E^"*"T — *"" «<* ^"^"^f'SrS^o^hS^S ^n^" Wh6re COnes -reshzp Blind River District, Td Barr 1 3DJstrict> Gladstone Town- levels of midges were evident in thl ToWnshl?' Temagami District. Trace Blind River collection ATTsynapta sf^^l^^^ella sp. in the the Temagami collection minimaTSamaS'tV^E*Pan°la Section. In an unidentified Lepidopterous pest 11 the COnes was ca"*ed bywere found. V Spest' No other insect or disease pests Jack Pine Plantations selected^p^n^^^^onl throu^u^ TV °f W82 in ""*»* status of insect infestation and disfa^ f Re8i0n t0 deter»ine the were established in plantatLS <2"hLh Tr^ Se»ipermanent Plots pest levels (Table 11). The only exception ffji,"6*8 ^ 1 survival is expected as foliL T &S attain this height, branches. ' f°1Xar damage 8«erally occurs on the lower stands werelxamx^d^pine6 ^Set^-'* "? diS6aSeS f°r Which the budworm, jack pine a^CW£3^SS%WI'?1,nla8.;"lfl?r' *PrUCe ,^W,^noUT^^iri^b- iTLVpSSns. /*»=>sv Table 11. i 12 olantationa throughout Sugary of insect results of gO-g^f- X<3 ^ees U-i-L *«- «-^fL (300 trees examined in plantations 0 I Villeneuve Raimbault Rose Espanola District Nal rn Weeks Merritt Sault Ste. Marie District llurlburt Sudbury District Hendrie Capreol Ha nine r Wawa District Recollect Iluotari Tr, 50 100 25 2,990 3,600 1,600 1,800 1.9 5.5 9.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 9 0 T 0 the Northeastern Region in 1982 0 0 0 k 0 0 0.3 0 0 \ 0 0 0 0 0.7 0 .2. .ummaj^y of disease results of the lack ni„unmafy ot disease results of the lack nJ„ Q __ ,e ren»ainder). eastern Region i„ 1982 Annillaria root rot Scleroderris canker, —-—^ii canker » =— Area Estimated Height Trees aff0,faj ™ ~~ " Trees Treen ^** "~^ <-> Treea(,a}ffeCted *- J"-"- a^ected J^d Jg^ Imb* se «to District 20 30 30 &»P anola D iatrict Halm :eksWe citt 24 145 120 2,900 2,800 2,700 2,990 1,200 1,800Herri It Ste. S" Marie District 50llurlburt nl strictsodbury »A9t llendrie Capreol 2,990 Hanmer Dia llect Wawa Reco trlct artlluot a Trace > 50 100 25 600 50 3,600 1,600 1,800 1,800 1,600 0.7 3.0 6.1 1.4 3.4 13.6 0.7 1.9 5.5 9.0 3.4 9.0 0 0.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.7 0 0 2 1.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.3 0 0 a 2 0 78 0 2 0 o 0 a Avg defol. on trees Tree8 affected affected 0 22 0 T 0 o 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 Avg defol. on trees Mortal- affected itv «) (Z) T Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0.3 0 0 0.3 0 0 0 SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS TABLE OF CONTENTS INSECTS Major Insects Pine Spittlebug, Birch Skeletonizer, Figure 1.KilometresLAKE HURONJBirch Skeletonizer, Maple Leafroller, Large Aspen Tortrix, Spruce Budworm, Pine Needle Midge, Oak Leaf Shredder, Eastern Pine Shoot Borer, Birch Leafminer, Gypsy Moth, Forest Tent Caterpillar, Gypsy Moth, Redheaded Pine Sawfly, Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly, Aspen Leafblotch Miner, White Pine Weevil, Mountain-ash Sawfly, Spearmarked Black Moth, Other forest insects. TREE DISEASES Major Diseases Sweetfern Blister Rust, Needle Cast, Scleroderris Canker of Pine, Needle Cast, Needle Cast, Other forest diseases. Abiotic Damage Frost Damage Needle Droop of Pine Scorch Injury On Winter Drying Special Surveys Dutch Elm Disease, Dutch elm disease survey1982 Jack Pine Seed and Cone Pests Jack Pine Plantations