Université Laval
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Valérie Fournier
Julien Saguez, Centre de recherche sur les grains
Start: 2018-05-01
End: 2020-04-30

Project

Optimisation of monitoring techniques for the True armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta)
The larvae of True Armyworm, a migrant noctuidae (Lepidoptera), feeds on many crops and can cause major economic losses. The monitoring of Quebec's populations is realized with pheromones traps by the ''Réseau d'Avertissement Phytosanitaire - Grandes cultures'' (RAP) in order to enable it’s scientists to predict future crop damages. This approach is therefore part of a complete Integrated Pest Management Program. Unfortunately, there is not always a link between the butterfly captures and crop damages, making it difficult to precisely predict the need for future treatments. It is important to document the True armyworm’s biology and behavior because little recent information is available. To study the possible impacts of climate changes on the insect, many techniques will be used (captures, behavioral studies, flight tunnels tests, etc.). These results will enable the RAP to better inform the provinces' farmers about the scale of the insect’s threat as well as advise pertinent protection measures.

Keywords

Lutte intégrée, Integrated Pest Management, Pseudaletia unipuncta, Mythimna unipuncta, Dépistage, Lépidoptère , monitoring