1ST-YEAR AND 2ND-YEAR EFFECTS OF ACECAP(R) IMPLANTS AGAINST CONE INSECTS OF BLACK SPRUCE

Acephate implanted in trunks of black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., trees in the fall, 3 weeks before female bud flush, and at female bud flush reduced insect damage to cones and increased seed yields for 1 year. Second-year effects of the implants reduced insect damage to cones, but without increased seed yields. In the 2nd year, cones from trees treated at bud flush had the least insect damage and the highest residues of acephate and its toxic metabolite, methamidophos. Damage to treated cones by the spruce cone maggot, Strobilomyia neanthracina Michelson, the dominant insect in untreated cones, was insignificant in the 1st year and was reduced in the 2nd year.