FRST 352 - Forest Entomology

Terms & Concepts

What follows is a guide for what you are responsible to know.  Actual questions on quizzes & tests will vary.

Recent updates in blue font

Introduction to Forest Insect Pest Mgmt

Terms:

• pest, healthy forest, endemic, epidemic

• damage threshold (a.k.a. economic injury level)

• IPM - integrated pest mgmt

Discussion Topics:

• Describe the traits of a healthy forest

• Discuss how scale of disturbance relates to impact on the forest, diversity, need for management

• Discuss in general terms how we manage for a healthy forest - include both long & short term measures and IPM

Basic Entomology

Terms:

• 3 segments:

  • head (sensory & feeding)

  • thorax (pro, meso, meta) - locomotion

  • abdomen - has the "guts"

• compound eye, ommatidia, ocelli, stemma

• labrum, mandible, maxillae, labium

• elytra (coverings for beetles), halteres ("clubs" on flies)

• spiracles, trachea, tracheoles

• Malpighian tubules, ganglia, ovipositor, endocrine (=hormone)

• parthenogenesis, metamorphosis

  • holometabolous - complete

  • hemimetabolous - incomplete, gradual

  • ametabolous - none

• egg, larva/ nymph/ naiad, L1 L2 etc., instar, pupa, adult

Discussion Topics:

• Briefly describe the good and adverse affects insects have had w.r.t. people, products & plants (trees)

• Describe and/or label the basic internal and external anatomy of a generalized insect

• What are the functions (advantages) of an exoskeleton (cuticle)

Insect Classification

Terms:

• Arthropod, Insecta (= Hexapoda)

• 9 Orders: Odonata, Orthoptera, Isoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera

Discussion Topics:

• List the distinguishing features of an arthropod

• List the distinguishing features of an insect

• For each insect order studied, be able to list/ describe:

  • what the name means (i.e. lepidoptera = scale wing)

  • common examples (i.e. homoptera = aphids, cicadas, scales & spittle bugs)

  • type of metamorphosis

  • wings

  • mouth parts

  • examples of benefit/ damage to forests

Adaptive Features

Terms:

• quiescence, diapause

• spread, dispersal, migration

Discussion Topics:

• Describe, in moderate detail, the adaptive features of insects that have "contributed to their success" ... add details from

  • Hellstrom Chronicle

  • Tim Goater's lecture on Parasitism

Population Dynamics

Terms:

• fecundity, sex factor (new, by Revlon), polyembryony, parthenogenesis

• poikilotherm, ectotherm, tropism, taxis, kinesis

• semiochemicals: pheromone, allelochemicals: allomone/ kairomone

• antibiotics, repellents, deterrents

• phenology, synchronicity (= synchrony)

• trichomes, thorns, sclerophylly

• preference, indifference, antixenosis, antibiosis

• evasion, resilience, biocontrol

Discussion Topics:

• Describe why insects are able to reproduce so quickly

• Describe in some detail the various resistance factors that can affect insect population

  • environmental (= physical, = climatic)

  • biological (PPP, nutrition)

  • host resistance (chemical & physical)

Parasitology

Terms:

• parasite, parasitism, parasitoid, hyperparasitoid

• ectoparasite, endoparasite

• myiasis (yuck)

• tri-trophic-interactions (quadra-trophic-interactions)

• bonus: parasitoid bodyguards

Short Answers:

• Name the 3 most common parasitoid families (and name the orders for each)

• Describe 'adaptations for success' of insect parasites

• What is the potential importance of insect parasitoids to forest management

Terminal Weevils

Terms:

• fecal cap, heat sum, degree day

• chip cocoon, feeding ring, Sheppard's crook

• juvenile hormone, constituent & traumatic resin, hazard rating

Discussion Topics:

• Know the hosts/range, signs/symptoms, basic biology, & damage for the following:

  • Spruce (white pine) Terminal Weevil

  • Lodgepole Pine Terminal Weevil

• Describe the population dynamics of IWS

• Describe the factors that relate to hazard rating (susceptibility factors) for the IWS

• Provide a moderately detailed description of the silviculture options for minimizing damage from the IWS (IWP)

• Describe the traits useful for resistance / tree breeding

• Why is the lodgepole pine terminal weevil the "lesser of two weevils"

• list direct control methods

========= End for Exam 1 / Start for Exam 2  ===================

yes, this next section is repeated from earlier on in the term ... be prepared to speak to the portions that pertain the the mtn pine beetle and defoliators

Population Dynamics

Terms:

• fecundity, sex factor (new, by Revlon), polyembryony, parthenogenesis

• poikilotherm, ectotherm, tropism, taxis, kinesis

• semiochemicals: pheromone, allelochemicals: allomone/ kairomone

• antibiotics, repellents, deterrents

• phenology, synchronicity (= synchrony)

• trichomes, thorns, sclerophylly

• preference, indifference, antixenosis, antibiosis

• evasion, resilience, biocontrol

Discussion Topics:

• Describe why insects are able to reproduce so quickly

• Describe in some detail the various resistance factors that can affect insect population

  • environmental (= physical, = climatic)

  • biological (PPP, nutrition)

  • host resistance (chemical & physical)

Bark Beetles

Terms:

• semiochemicals: allomone, kairomone, pheromone

• mycangia, blue stain

• teneral (callow) adult, maturation feeding

• synchrony, phenology, heat sum, univoltine, hemivoltine

• climate categories: inhospitable, benign, favourable

• carbon sink, carbon source

• green / red / grey attack

• cavitation, embolism

• beetle proofing

• sanitation vs. salvage logging

• strategy vs. tactic

• ECA & hydrologic recovery

Discussion Topics:

• Know the hosts/range, signs/symptoms, basic biology, damage, as well as preventative & direct control tactics for the mountain pine beetle
   

• Discuss the factors that are "critical for success" for the mtn pine beetle
   

• Differentiate between the broad level strategies
   

• Describe how epidemic and endemic population levels relate to beetle numbers and stand resistance (a graph would be nice) ... what factors contribute to an epidemic ... further, relate direct control measures and preventative measures to this graph
   

• Describe the relationship between climate change and the mountain pine beetle (also see Climate Change section below)
   

• Discuss the potential changes to hydrologic function due to a large bark beetle outbreak

  • outline the impacts of such changes

  • how can harvesting impact such changes

   

• Compare the mountain pine beetle to the spruce beetle and the Douglas-fir beetle (i.e. what are the differences)

• Discuss the impact of the mountain pine beetle outbreak on wildlife habitat

Climate Change

Terms:

• weather vs. climate, radiative equilibrium, radiative forcing, aerosols, greenhouse gases (GHG), climate feedbacks (positive & negative), anthropogenic climate change

Discussion Topics:

• Provide evidence (equates to impacts) that climate is changing

• Describe the 5 causes of climate change and describe why one of these factors is considered the dominant force for recent (last ~50 years)

• Describe 5 impacts of climate change

• What are the specific climate change impacts (temperature/pptn) predicted for BC?  Consider season-specific and location-specific changes  

• Provide 5 potential impacts on BC's forest

================ End for Exam 2 / Start for Exam 3  ===============

Defoliators

Terms:

• polyphagous vs. oligophagous vs. monophagous

• distribution vs. pattern

• severity: intensive vs. extensive

• foliage protection vs. population control

• Btk, NPV

Discussion Topics:

• Briefly describe patterns (spatial & temporal) of defoliator outbreaks ... how do they compare to abiotic (fire) disturbance

• how might climate change affect outbreaks from defoliators?

• List the (sudden) impacts of defoliators

• In moderate detail, discuss tree resilience to and damage from defoliators

• Compare evergreen vs. deciduous trees in terms of damage & recovery from defoliators

• Long Term: Describe the long term management strategies for defoliators

• Short Term:

  • Compare survey objectives (predictive vs. pop'n)

  • Compare the two insecticide spray objectives (foliage protection & population control)

  • With regards to Btk & NPV

    • why are they considered safe

    • how do they work

    • when is the best time to apply it

Know the hosts/range, signs/symptoms, basic biology, damage and management for the following:

• Douglas-fir Tussock Moth

• Western (Spruce) Budworm

• Gypsy Moth
  

Sap Suckers

Terms:

• sessile, sooty mold, honeydew, gall, woolly tufts

• insecticidal soap, pyrethrum

• aphid vs. adelgid

Discussion Topics:

• Know the hosts/range, signs/symptoms, basic biology, damage and management for the following:

  • Green Spruce Aphid

  • Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid

  • Balsam Woolly Adelgid (girls, girls, girls)

Young Tree Pests

Terms:

• shot holes, "kitty litter"

Discussion Topics:

• As a broad statement: know the hosts/range, signs/symptoms, basic biology, damage and management for the following:

  • Black Army Cutworm (very short answers here)

  • Conifer Seedling Weevil (prefers veal)

  • Warren's Root Collar Weevil (moderate level answers here)

  • Pitch Moths
     

• Explain the relationship between the black army cutworm and fire

• Differentiate between the factors that lead to an outbreak on seedlings and factors that relate to level of damage sustained by the seedlings due to the black army cutworm

• Describe the management for these pests and relate the tactics to their life cycles and preferences

• Provide the free growing criteria regarding damage from pests of young stands

Wood Borers

Terms:

• semiochemicals: allomone, kairomone, pheromone

• mycangia

• teneral (callow) adult, maturation feeding

• long horned vs. metallic wood borers

• Pacific dampwood vs. western subterranean termites

Discussion Topics:

• Compare Trypodendron to Gnathotrichus in terms of: For ambrosia beetles provide

  • basic biology/life cycle

  • damage

  • type of wood/log attacked

  • flight times

  • management tactics

Cone & Seed Pests

Terms:

• conophyte

• direct vs. indirect cone pest, facultative vs. obligate cone pest

• extended diapause (risk spreading vs. predictive)

Discussion Topics:

• Where and why are cone/seed pests important for forestry

• Describe the IPM process as it relates to seed orchards

• Compare facultative and obligate cone/seed pests

  • dependency

  • specificity

  • population trends

  • signs & symptoms

  • reproduction

Summary

Discussion Topics:

• Briefly describe the key points the researchers at the Pacific Forestry centre shared with us

• Discuss why bugs deserve our respect (mainly Hellstrom Chronicle ideas)

• Describe tree defences and the ongoing battle of the two titans:

  • trees vs. bugs

• Compare and contrast ID and diagnosis (Guardians line-up vs Sherlock)

• Describe how "timing" (age specificity, outbreaks, steady state) can affect management decisions

• Compare hazard & risk and describe how they might influence management decisions

• Describe preventative (a.k.a. long term, a.k.a. "good forestry") management strategies to minimize damage from insect pests

• Describe in broad terms the direct control measures (a.k.a. short term, a.k.a. "kickin' frass") aimed at minimizing damage from forest insect pests