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THE EFFECT OF THE POXVIRUS OF THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), ON MAMMALS AND BIRDS1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Charles H. Buckner
Affiliation:
Chemical Control Research Institute, Department of the Environment, Ottawa
John C. Cunningham
Affiliation:
Insect Pathology Research Institute, Department of the Environment, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Abstract

Laboratory-bred rats and mice fed heavy doses of the poxvirus of the spruce budworm showed no ill effects and made normal weight gains as compared with controls over a period of 8 weeks, and no deaths occurred in the treated groups. Laboratory and wild mammals exposed to aerial spray in open-topped cages similarly showed no adverse effects. Population densities, fecundity, and other pertinent life history parameters of small mammals and birds were studied relative to treatment of a forest with the poxvirus for control of spruce budworm. There were no observable interactions between these small vertebrates and the virus. It is concluded that, from the standpoint of homoiothermic vertebrates, the virus is a safe insecticide.

Résumé

Pendant huit semaines, des rats et souris reçurent en laboratoire de fortes doses du virus varioleux de la Tordeuse des bourgeons de l’Épinette sans dommages à leur santé et tout en gagnant du poids normalement; et, à plus forte raison, sans mourir. Il en fut de même pour ces espèces d’animaux (élevées en laboratoire ou sauvages) lorsqu’elles furent arrosées au moment où elles étaient tenues prisonnières dans des cages ouvertes par le haut. Ce virus fut aussi essayé vis-à-vis la densité de la population des petits mammifères et des oiseaux, leur fécondité et d’autres paramètres concernant leur cycle vital, et aucune interaction ne s’avéra observable. Les auteurs concluent que ce virus est un insecticide inoffensif pour les Vertébrés homoïothermiques.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1972

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