Examination of table 2 reveals that no budworm egg concentrations 

 were found which can be classed as epidemic. If these samples are 

 truly representative of actual field conditions then it is likely that 

 the main budworm outbreak in Southeast Alaska has cane to an end. It 

 is likely that a further break-up in the area of noticeable defoliation 

 can be expected and that some isolated pockets of defoliation may be 

 detected within the outbreak area which will be classed as epidemic, 

 but certainly not of outbreak proportions. 



Reference to table 2 also shows that the larval parasite ELachertus 

 glaciali s Ashm, was ccxnmon at a number of collecting locations. 

 Foliage samples from which ELachertus was common showed only limited 

 budworm damage. This parasite was so common in the Juneau area that 

 it destroyed budworm populations which were under study. 



Moths were evident at Mud Bay and Waixi Cove, but evidence of parasitism, 

 especially the larval parasite ELachertus was common. Pupal parasites 

 were also quite evident. 



The trend of budworm populations within the scattered epidemic areas 

 at the southern end of the Tongass is not known. Ground examinations 

 and egg counts were made on September 23 in a number of areas in the 

 vicinity of Ketchikan, Some moths were seen but evidence of larval 

 and pupal parasitism was common and the budworm population was low. 

 Unfortunately, budworm development was so retarded that even at the 

 late date of September 23 oviposition was far from completed and trend 

 samples were inadequate. 



Factors causing outbreak decline 



Egg parasitism by Trichogramma minutum Riley showed no change in the 

 Jimeau area fran that found in previous years. Egg parasitism was 

 found to range from 0,8 percent to 5 #4 percent, 



A moderate budworm population which had been designated for parasite 

 study was completely destroyed by parasites by the time the budworm 

 larvae had become half grown. The chaHcid EI,achertus glacialis Ashm, 

 was found in every damaged needle cluster. This parasite was also 

 common on the foliage examined from many of the twig collecting 

 locations , 



In 1954 Microgaster peroneae Walley, Actia diffidens Cu, and Itoplectis 

 quadri cingulatus Gush, were by far the most abimdant parasites of the 

 budworm. This year Elachertus ff.T r^*"-^' r\7,? ^ Ashm, must certainly be added 

 to that list of parasites primarily responsible for the continuing 

 budworm decline. 



Very little evidence of disease was seen in the 1955 budworm larvae. 



11 



