Université de Sherbrooke
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Matthew Barbour
Véronique Martel, Centre de foresterie des Laurentides
Start: 2025-01-01
End: 2026-12-31

Project

Effect of forest composition on the low-density parasitism rate of spruce budworm
The spruce budworm (SBW) is the defoliating insect with the greatest impact on Canadian forests. This pest goes through epidemic cycles, with very high densities, as well as endemic phases, where its densities are almost undetectable. According to theory, at low densities, parasitoids play a key role in controlling SBW populations. However, under these conditions, the composition of parasitoid communities is strongly influenced by forest composition, as generalist parasitoids rely on several secondary hosts to complete their life cycle. This is why it is crucial to study the effect of forest composition on the parasitism rate of SBW at low densities

Keywords

Tordeuse, Composition forestière, Parasitoïde