August 5, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

1996 Hemlock Looper Control Program

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, would like to advise the public of the completion of the aerial spray activities for the 1996 Hemlock Looper Control Program. The program, which was carried out under licence from the Department of Environment and Labour, began on June 22 and ended on July 30.

"Despite variable weather conditions throughout the operation," commented the minister. "A total of approximately 69,000 hectares of mainly balsam fir belonging to Abitibi-Price, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, and the Crown were treated in Western and Northern Newfoundland with the biological insecticide, B.t."

Of the total area treated, approximately 6,000 hectares nine per cent received one application, 53,900 hectares 78 per cent received two applications, and because of high numbers of hemlock looper larvae, approximately 9,100 hectares 13 per cent received three applications of Foray 76B applied at 30 BIU (Billion International Units - standard measure of B.t. potency) per hectare per application. Operations were carried out from the Deer Lake Airport, the Port au Choix airstrip, and the Stephenville Airport. Spray aircraft consisted of four teams of four single-engine Dromader M-18s.

Over the next few weeks, ground crews will dismantle the spray bases and store the equipment. Field crews will continue to collect data on insect numbers and defoliation in sample plots. Once the looper larvae have finished feeding, the annual defoliation survey carried out by the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods can commence. This work will map out the insect damage sustained by our forests in 1996. After all data is collected, analysed and evaluated, the effectiveness of the program, in terms of population reduction and foliage protection, can be determined. This process is expected to take about eight weeks.

     Contact: 

     Gary Young                         Hubert Crummey
     (709) 729-0023                     (709) 637-2424