DOUGLAS-FIR TUSSOCK MOTH (HEMEROCAMPA PSEUDOTSUGATA) EGG-MASS DISTRIBUTION ON WHITE FIR IN NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA

Abstract

AbstractThe distribution of Douglas-fir tussock moth (Hemerocampa pseudotsugata McD.) egg-masses on white fir (Abies concolor (Gord. and Glend.) Lindl.) was studied in three areas of northern California. In each area 100 trees between 4.5 and 8.4 in. in diameter were stratified into five defoliation classes and four crown classes, giving a total of 20 classes per study area with five trees per class. Trees were divided into four crown levels and samples were taken at each of the cardinal directions at each level. Two branches comprised n sample unit in the top half of the tree (eight branches per level) and one branch the sample unit in the bottom half of the tree (four branches per level). Egg masses were recorded per 10 sq. ft of foliage or branch area. Eighty per cent or more of the egg masses were found in the bottom half of the crown. This percentage in the bottom half of the crown increased on trees with heavy defoliation or with increased exposure of the crown. Of the four possible sources of variation considered in this study, crown level, defoliation class, and crown class were significant while cardinal direction was not. A sampling method is proposed on the basis of the information gathered in this investigation.