IDL

Western Hemlock Looper

http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/images/2511

Hosts & Range (click to expand)

	H (C) [in outbreak will eat most anything, even broad leaved vegetation)
	common in the CWH and ICH
	prefers: stands heavy H component (also HC stands, especially in the interior) dense mature site cool and moist (often near shoreline of ocean, lakes & rivers) wet / poor site classes low elevation

	Source: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/tasb/legsregs/fpc/fpcguide/defoliat/fig3.htm

	Source: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/~ldaniels/view.php?dir=1&org=601076796270.jpg

Life Cycle / Biology (click to expand)

	eggs laid late summer / early fall "barrel shaped" on moss, lichen, needles
	larva hatch in May / June naked "inch worms" greenish-grey ("olive drab") with variegated (broken) black lines

	Source: http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/1241560.jpg
	wasteful feeders

	http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/publications/00198/1%20to%2050/fig36.jpg
	pupate in August
	adults emerge in September, lay eggs in September (October)

	Source: http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/1241561.jpg

Signs & Symptoms (click to expand)

	insect - eggs: barrel-shaped in moss/lichen, branches - larva: naked, greenish-brown, mottled (variegated) inchworm - pupa: naked - adult: grey-brown wings with zigzag thin black lines
	tree - start in upper crowns - crowns go yellow-red, then to brown (scorched) - ground littered with chewed needles
	stand - valley bottoms and near water (= cool & moist)

Damage (click to expand)

	wasteful feeders
	early feeding is light, but later instars are heavy feeders
	14 outbreaks in last century
	Periodic outbreaks coast - 10-11 years interior - 20+ years typically last about 3 years (controlled by PPP)
	heavy feeding at top of tree
	top kill if outbreak is sustained on same trees (2-3 years) - often up to 3 m
	mortality can occur in prolonged severe outbreak (3-4 years)

	Source: http://web.unbc.ca/ctl/webcourses/fsty307/defol/whl_damage.jpg
	growth loss, deformation, predisposition

Management (click to expand)

	Annual overview surveys
	hazard rating system - being developed to ID high hazard areas
	Short Term Action Btk (now registered for IDL)- apply during outbreak for pop'n control spray later instars (usually in build-up or early outbreak) for foliage protection spray early instars
	Long Term Mgmt well-spaced, even-aged, thrifty stand (spacing & possibly fertilization ($$)) Hw <50% in high hazard areas ???