The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 21,400 hectares of forest in the Cascades District to reduce populations of western spruce budworm.

The proposed treatment locations are near Gordon Creek, Spius Creek, Pimainus Creek, Guichon Creek, Nsatiscou Lake, Mill Creek, Swakum Mountain, Eastgate and Kennedy Lake.

The pest management plan and maps of treatment areas can be viewed at the Thompson Okanagan Region Forest Health Program office at 441 Columbia St., Kamloops or online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/ForestHealth/Western_Spruce_Budworm_Spray_2012.htm

The biological agent Foray 48B will be applied by helicopter on or about the period from June 20 to 27, 2012, weather permitting.

Foray 48B is a biological insecticide that is widely used in B.C. and is registered with the Organic Materials Review Institute. The active ingredient in Foray 48B is the naturally occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk). This spray only affects moth and butterfly larvae and can be used safely around humans and other animals. Birds, household pets, fish and beneficial insects (including honey bees) are not affected.

The western spruce budworm is an insect that is native to B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. In its larval stage, it defoliates Douglas fir, true firs, spruce and larch trees. A budworm outbreak has the potential to seriously harm or kill trees over large areas.

Contact:

Lorraine Maclauchlan
Entomologist
Thompson Okanagan Region
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 828-4179