Abstract
Consumption rates, food utilization efficiencies, and foliage wasted by the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis , were determined for three larval instars and for both sexes. Sixth-instar larvae ingested significantly more Douglas-fir foliage than did fifth-instar larvae. Relative consumption rate ( RCR ), relative growth rate ( RGR ), efficiency of conversion of ingested foods ( ECI ), and the percentage of foliage wasted were statistically equal (α = 0.10) between fifth- and sixth-instar larvae feeding on host foliage. Fourth-instar larvae feeding on artifical diet medium ingested less food than did fifth- and sixth-instar larvae. Relative growth rate was greater for fourth- and fifth-instar larvae, ECI was greater for fifth- and sixth-instar larvae, and RCR was greater for fourth-instar larvae. Female budworms consumed less host foliage in relation to their body weight than did males. However, females maintained an RGR equal to that of males due to greater ECI. Female budworms had significantly longer development times and greater fresh pupal weights than males. The percentages of total damaged host foliage that was wasted by male and female western spruce budworms were statistically equal. The percentages of foliage wasted were also statistically equal for fifth- and sixth-instar larvae feeding on Douglas-fir foliage.
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