Spruce Budworm Information Session

The Spruce Budworm Information Session was held on May 1, 2025 and hosted by Keeping Maine's Forests. The session focused on the history of spruce budworm in Maine, the importance of monitoring populations through yearly branch sampling, the insecticides and approach (early intervention strategy) used for additive mortality in areas with high spruce budworm populations, and the aerial spray program that will be implemented by some timberland owners in Northern Maine this spring. Video breakdown: 0:00 - Welcome: Logan Johnson, Executive Director, MaineTREE 2:15 - Opening Remarks: Allison Kanoti, State Entomologist, Maine Forest Service 8:31 - An Introduction to Maine's Spruce Budworm History and the Current Challenges Ahead, Mike Parisio, Forest Entomologist, Maine Forest Service 22:53 - Spruce Budworm Biology & Monitoring, Angela Mech, Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology, Director of the Spruce Budworm Processing Lab, University of Maine 42:16 - Efficacy of the Early Intervention Strategy for suppressing spruce budworm outbreaks, Sara Edwards, Research Scientist, Natural Resources Canada 1:03:18 - Tebufenozide and BtK: Toxicity and Risk Assessment, Doug VanHoewyk, Toxicologist, Maine Board of Pesticide 1:23:00 - Maine Budworm Response Coalition (MBRC), Alex Ingraham, Chair of MBRC, Pingree Associates, Ked Coffin, Co-lead Tactical Team of MBRC, Irving Woodlands 1:37:00 - Q&A More information on Spruce budworm in Maine can be found at sprucebudwormmaine.org and maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/spruce_budworm_2014.htm