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fROPERTV OF/;^OIVIS}ON OF 



FORESTRY 



COLLEGE OFfifc 

 UNIVERSITY OF 



A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF FOREST INSECT CONDITIONS IN 



BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



BY J. M. SWAINE, 



Assistant Entomologist for Forest Insects. 



For several years reports have been received from various poiats in British 

 Columbia indicating considerable loss from Bark-beetle attack to standing 

 timber and logs. The lumber industry of the province is of such importance, 

 and the destruction by forest insects in the States to the south has been reported 

 as so serious in recent years, that it was thought advisable to make a survey 

 of the actual conditions in regard to injurious forest insects in British Columbia 

 forests. The Forestry Branch of the Department of Lands of British Columbia 

 had in the meantime requested the Division of Entomology to undertake such 

 an investigation. Accordingly, with the assistance and co-operation of the 

 Provincial Forestry Branch, a survey was made during the summer of 1913 

 the object of which survey was to determine the location and extent of the 

 chief forest insect injuries, and to decide upon proper control measures for the 

 more serious outbreaks. 



The territory covered included parts of the Koptenays, Okanagan, Simil- 

 kameen, Lower Coast and Vancouver Island regions. Several destructive 

 outbreaks of forest insects were located and studied, and much practical infor- 

 mation was obtained for future control work with a variety of injurious species. 

 A large collection was made of forest insects and their work, which will be of 

 much practical as well as scientific value. 



The forest area of British Columbia is so enormous that but a small portion 

 of the southern part could be covered. 



Reports previously received by the Provincial Forestry Branch and by 

 the Division of Entomology from their officers and from lumbermen indicated 

 the points to be visited. 



Reports were received during the sunnier of apparently serious injury 

 by Bark-beetles to spruce up the coast, and to spruce, pine and larch in the 

 interior, at points which could not then be visited. 



Much work of the kind attempted this summer remains to be done within 

 the boundaries of the country now lumbered, and there is a large amount of 

 injury in timber outside the present commercial area. It is highly important 

 to have these outbreaks located and studied. We should know which species 

 of insects are the primary enemies of the forests, and how they may be con- 

 trolled; so that when it is found that serious injury is being done to valuable 

 timber, as now occurs in several regions, the proper control measures may be 

 applied without loss of time. 



The assistance of lumbermen, cruisers and all travelling the forests, in 

 reporting insect injuries and sending specimens of injurious forest insects and 

 their work, will be of the greatest value. 



The officers of the Provincial Forest Branch, especially Mr. H. R. Mac- 

 millan, Chief Forester, have rendered every possible assistance in the work, by 

 furnishing information of infested districts and aiding in investigations. Mr. 

 George Verdee, of Campbell River, rendered invaluable assistance in the work 

 about Seymour Narrows and Campbell River, and has since forwarded material 

 for studyl Mr. Tom Wilson, of Vancouver, Inspector of Indian Orchards, 

 assisted on a portion of the survey, and has supplied a large amount of valuable 

 material for study from various parts of British Columbia forests. 



