Engelmann spruce cone losses caused by insects in northern Utah in a year of low cone production

Authors

D. E. Cameron, Utah State University
M. J. Jenkins, Utah State University

Abstract

The impacts and timing of insect infestation were determined in developing Engelmann spruce cones throughout the summer of a year of low cone production in northern Utah. The major insects found were the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella Grote (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); and the spruce seed moth, Laseyresia youngana Kearfott (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae). Insects reduced the survival of cones to 11.48 cones out of 100. The high percentage of seeds and cones lost to insect predation supported previous studies of a similar nature.

Recommended Citation

Cameron, D. E. and Jenkins, M. J. (1988) "Engelmann spruce cone losses caused by insects in northern Utah in a year of low cone production," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 48: No. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol48/iss4/8