The winter moth Operophtera brumata in eastern Canada, 1962–1988

Abstract

The history of Operophtera brumata (L.) in eastern Canada for the period 1962–1988 is reviewed in light of the successful biological control program which brought about the initial population collapse in 1961. Theories and predictions related to this program and studies of O. brumata in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and England are re-examined. The behavior of the pest in apple orchards is also discussed. Operophtera brumata populations have conformed to predictive models which forecast a low stable population rather than one which exhibits pronounced oscillations.