Evaluation of pine bark beetle infestations on Blue Mountain, Missoula District, Lolo National Forest, Montana

An evaluation of the status of bark beetle infestations in ponderosa pine stands on Blue Mountain, Missoula District, Lolo National Forest, was made March 30 and April 4, 1972, at the request of personnel of the Missoula District. Extensive group killing of ponderosa pine in the vicinity of Blue Mountain was detected by District personnel in 1971. A subsequent evaluation revealed that tree killing was the result of pine engraver beetle, Ips pini (Say), infestation over most of the area and that a localized outbreak of mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk., occurred in the Hayes Creek drainage (Ciesla et al. 1971). Presuppression surveys in the Hayes Creek drainage indicated that a total of 4,814 ponderosa pines were killed by mountain pine beetle in 1969 and 1970 with a resultant volume loss of 29,640 board feet (Ciesla and McGregor 1971). Attempts by District personnel to initiate salvage sales in the area during 1971 failed

Evaluation of the pine butterfly infestation on the Nezperce National Forest, 1972

The pine butterfly, Neophasia menapia (Felder and Felder), infestation on the Nezperce National Forest was aerially surveyed in mid-August 1972. A followup ground evaluation was made in September. Results of the survey show the infestation has increased substantially in intensity and size. The infestation was first reported in 1971 when 4,200 acres of aerially visible defoliation were detected along the south-facing slopes of the Salmon River breaks east of Riggins, Idaho. Approximately 22,000 acres of defoliation were mapped during the 1972 aerial survey. In addition to the infested areas east of Riggins, defoliation exists as far north as Slate Creek and also on the "island" to the south (Fig. 1). Defoliation intensities range from just detectable to complete removal of the foliage. Most of the trees still have their 1972 needles

Supplemental egg mass data from a Douglas-fir tussock moth infestation, North of Polson, Montana, April 1975

A supplemental Douglas-fir tussock moth egg mass evaluation was made within three quarter sections north of Poison, Montana, during April 1975. These areas were being considered for a pilot control project of a nucleopolyhedrosis virus spray. Results from the April evaluation showed these areas no longer qualified as sites for pilot control projects

Status of the western hemlock looper in the northern region, 1972

Over 10,000 acres of aerially visible western hemlock looper defoliation on grand fir was detected on State and Federal forests of central Idaho in 1972. This is the first report of this insect building up in Region 1 since a widespread outbreak in 1937-39. The western hemlock looper has the potential of being one of the most destructive forest insects in North America. It can cause tree mortality in 1 or 2 years of feeding. Extensive tree mortality has been associated with nearly all past outbreaks. Outbreaks usually persist for about 3 years at epidemic levels prior to collapsing from natural control agents. Insecticides have been effective in protecting large stands during some looper infestations