The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to aerially treat up to 12,500 hectares of western hemlock forest in areas around Revelstoke to reduce populations of the western hemlock looper larva.

The proposed treatment sites are located near Blue River, Sugar Lake, Greenbush Lake and areas between the north end of Lake Revelstoke and Kinbasket Lake. The pest management plan and maps of treatment areas can be viewed at the Thompson Okanagan Region Forest Health Program office (441 Columbia St., Kamloops) or the Kootenay-Boundary Region Forest Health Program office (4th floor, 333 Victoria St., Nelson). The maps are also available online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/ForestHealth/Western_Hemlock_Looper_Spray_Program_2012.htm

The biological insecticide Foray 48B will be applied by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft on or about June 23-28, 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 larva of the western hemlock looper feeds primarily on hemlock trees, but will feed on almost any foliage, including Douglas fir, amabilis fir, Sitka spruce and broad-leaved trees and shrubs. A looper outbreak has the potential to seriously harm or kill trees over large areas and can have serious impacts on mountain caribou habitat as a result of tree mortality caused by these outbreaks.

Contact:

Lorraine Maclauchlan

Entomologist

Thompson-Okanagan Region

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

250 828-4179

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect