Nova Scotia organizations leading the monitoring, detection and application of treatments

Populations of spruce budworm in Nova Scotia continue remain at low levels. At this point both branch sampling for overwintering larvae (L2) and pheromone trapping are carried out by the province annually.  The samples are analyzed in laboratories located at the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry. These population surveys are available on the Healthy Forest Partnership website.

In addition to populations sampling, aerial surveys for defoliation are planned once populations warrant.  Those surveys will be carried out by the staff from Forest Health and Aviation Services of the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry.

Nova Scotia has also developed the Spruce Budworm Management Framework in preparation for a potential outbreak in Nova Scotia. The Framework is a transparent decision-making process that is designed to engage a diverse group of stakeholders, to balance the many values and interests that exist within our softwood forests.

Treatments for the most recent season (2020)

In 2020, no treatments of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Tebufenozide or Confound were carried out. For the most up-to-date information, go to the map section of the Healthy Forest Partnership website.