The ecological interaction of the mountain pine beetle and jack pine budworm in the boreal forest

Abstract

As climate change facilitates the range and host expansion of insect species into new ecosystems, the development of new strategies for managing and preventing biological invasion is receiving considerable interest. In recent years, the range of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) has expanded from lodgepole pine-dominated forests east of the Rocky Mountains into lodgepole x jack pine hybrid forest of western Alberta, and may soon invade jack pine forests of the boreal. Our understanding of factors contributing colonization of jack pine by mountain pine beetle is far from complete and several factors may limit its spread in these forests, including tree resistance and competitors. Among these, the jack pine budworm (Choristoneura pinus pinus Freeman) is one of the most important insect enemies of jack pine and an outbreak defoliator that potentially weakens jack pine trees, which may make them more susceptible to MPB attacks. To develop effective management strategies in the face of the short-run impacts of climate change, we need an in-depth understanding of factors influencing establishment and survival of the beetle in jack pine forests. © 2010 Canadian Institute Forestry.