The Acadian Entomological Society

71th Annual Meeting / 71e Réunion annuelle Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, Fredericton, N.B. 15-17 August 2012 / 15-17 août 2012

Table of content / Table des matières

Table of content / Table des matières ...... 2 Tentative schedule / Horaire provisoire ...... 3 Wednesday, August 15 / Mercredi 15 août ...... 3 Thursday, August 16 / Jeudi 16 août ...... 3 Session I: President’s Prize session (Agricultural insects) ...... 3 Session II: President’s Prize session (Forest insects) ...... 3 Session III: Submitted talks ...... 4 Session IV: Submitted talks ...... 4 Friday, August 17 / Vendredi 17 août ...... 5 Oral presentation abstracts / Résumés des présentations orales ...... 6 Poster presentation abstracts / Résumés des présentations par poster ...... 13

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Tentative schedule / Horaire provisoire

Wednesday, August 15 / Mercredi 15 août 18:00-19:00 Registration 19:00- AES Mixer

Thursday, August 16 / Jeudi 16 août 8:00-8:30 Registration 8:30-8:45 Opening talks Session I: President’s Prize session (Agricultural insects) 8:45-9:00 Gene regulations in green peach aphid during chemical hormesis Ayyanath, Murali-Mohan, Cynthia Scott-Dupree, Chris Cutler 9:00-9:15 Consumption of weed seeds by Harpalus rufipes, a common beetle in lowbush blueberry in Atlantic Canada Chahil, G.S., G.C. Cutler 9:15-9:30 Ecology of plant and leafhoppers in species-rich subalpine meadows Gandiaga, Franck, Jean-Yves Humbert 9:30-9:45 Chemical Ecology of Female Blueberry Spanworm, Itame argillacearia, (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) De Silva, E.C.A., P. J. Silk, N.K. Hillier, G.C. Cutler 9:45-11:00 Break and Poster session Session II: President’s Prize session (Forest insects) 11:00-11:15 Pre- and post-alighting preference for stressed trees in an exotic wood-borer Flaherty, Leah, Dan Quiring, Deepa Pureswaran, Jon Sweeney 11:15-11:30 Resistance of balsam fir to balsam twig aphid and balsam gall midge Fraser, Sara 11:30-11:45 Olfactory physiology of the brown spruce longhorn beetle (BSLB), Tetropium fuscum (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) MacKay, Colin, Kirk Hillier, Jon Sweeney

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11:45-13:00 Lunch break Session III: Submitted talks 13:00-13h15 Larval diet prior to and following virus ingestion influences the efficacy of two nucleopolyhedroviruses in whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillars Brodersen, Garrett, Rob Johns, Renée Lapointe, David Thumbi, Graham Thurston, Christopher Lucarotti, and Dan Quiring 13:15-13:30 Recent advances in monitoring techniques for the balsam gall midge, Paradiplosis tumifex, in Christmas tree stands Carleton, R. Drew, Peter J.Silk, Eldon S. Eveleigh, Stephen B. Heard, Chris Dickie 13:30-13:45 Ontogeny and stand condition influence the dispersal strategy of a specialist budworm caterpillar Johns, R.C., E.S. Eveleigh, P. McCarthy 13:45-14:00 Deciphering the semiochemistry of the balsam fir sawfly, Neodiprion Abietis LeClair, Gaetan, Peter Silk, Peter Mayo, Eldon Eveleigh, Roger Graves 14:00-14:15 Do native endophytic fungi defend white spruce against the eastern spruce budworm? Quiring, Dan, Sara Fraser, Leah Flaherty, David Miller, Andrew McCartney and Greg Adams 14:15-14:30 The Chemical Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleleoptera: Buprestidae): an update Silk, Peter, Krista Ryall 14:30-15:00 Break and Poster session Session IV: Submitted talks 15:00-15h15 Development of the Pheromone Component (3Z)- Dodecen-12-olide as a Lure Additive for the Trapping of Emerald Ash Borer: A Chemist's Perspective Mayo, Peter 15:15-15:30 The impact of the European Fire Ant (Myrmica rubra) on ground dwelling invertebrates and arboreal insects Hicks, Barry

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15:30-15:45 In Search of the Saarlac: Olfactory physiology of coeloconic sensilla in Manduca sexta Hillier, N.K., Olsson, S.B., Grosse-Wilde, E., Reinecke, A., Hansson, B.S. 15:45-16:00 Disentangling the effects of structural and compositional heterogeneity of habitat on animal community assembly Moreau, Gaétan, Charles Comeau, Jean-Pierre Privé 16:00-16:15 Blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran) fly movement in and around lowbush blueberry fields Renkema, Justin 18:00- Banquet

Friday, August 17 / Vendredi 17 août 9:00- AGM

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Oral presentation abstracts / Résumés des présentations orales

Ayyanath, Murali-Mohan (1, 2), Cynthia Scott-Dupree (2), Chris Cutler (1) (1) Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada; (2) School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Gene regulations in green peach aphid during chemical hormesis Chemical hormesis is a biphasic toxicological response displaying low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. When green peach aphids were exposed to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid, we found up to 4-fold down-regulation of OSD, TOL,

Hsp60 and FPPS 1 genes in parental generation adults (G0) and up to 5-fold up- regulation of OSD and TOL genes in G1, as determined by real-time PCR. In G1 adults, ANT, Hsp60 and FPPS 1 down-regulated up to 5-fold suggesting adaptation to the nd stressor. Analysis of genes of G0 and G1 2 instars suggests initial disruption followed by overcompensation hormesis.

Brodersen, Garrett (1), Rob Johns (2), Renée Lapointe (3), David Thumbi (3), Graham Thurston (2), Christopher Lucarotti (2), and Dan Quiring (4) (1) Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB E3G 5P7; (3) Forest Protection Limited, Fredericton, New Brunswick; (4) Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3 ORAL SUBMITTED Larval diet prior to and following virus ingestion influences the efficacy of two nucleopolyhedroviruses in whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillars Food quality can influence the performance of immature insects and their interactions with pathogens. Laboratory studies using nucleopolyhedroviruses derived from whitemarked tussock moths (WMTM) (Orgyia leucostigma) and Douglas fir tussock moths found that WMTM caterpillars fed high quality food (i.e. Bell diet) prior to virus ingestion showed lower mortality rates than those fed lower quality food (i.e. birch foliage). In field studies, caterpillars showed higher mortality rates when fed low quality foliage (i.e. balsam fir) than they did when fed high quality foliage (i.e. birch), following virus ingestion. We suggest that well-nourished insects are more resistant to viral infection than malnourished insects, though the mechanism remains unclear.

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Carleton, R. Drew (1), Peter J.Silk (1), Eldon S. Eveleigh (1), Stephen B. Heard (2), Chris Dickie (3) (1) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5P7; (2) University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB; (3) InFOR, Fredericton, New Brunswick ORAL SUBMITTED Recent advances in monitoring techniques for the balsam gall midge, Paradiplosis tumifex, in Christmas tree stands Balsam gall midge, Paradiplosis tumifex Gagne (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an economically important pest in the Christmas tree industry. Current research targets the identification of several key factors in the midge life-cycle (i.e. emergence) with the goal to improve mitigation techniques. Results and implications are discussed.

Chahil, G.S. (1), G.C. Cutler (1) (1) Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Consumption of weed seeds by Harpalus rufipes, a common beetle in lowbush blueberry in Atlantic Canada Weeds are a major pest problem of wild blueberry. Granivorous ground beetles may consume weed seeds, contributing to pest control. In the laboratory, Harpalus rufipes, a common ground beetle in lowbush blueberry fields, consumed 30 and 17 seeds of red sorrel and hairy fescue (weeds) respectively in 4 days. When given a choice, H. rufipes consumed two times more red sorrel seeds than hairy fescue. Additional field experiments will clarify the potential of H. rufipes for weed biocontrol in lowbush blueberry.

De Silva, E.C.A. (1), P. J. Silk (2), N.K. Hillier (3), G.C. Cutler (1) (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O. 550, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service- Atlantic Forestry Centre, 1350- Regent Street., Fredericton, NB, E3B 5P7, Canada; (3) Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Ave., Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada. ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Chemical Ecology of Female Blueberry Spanworm, Itame argillacearia, (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Blueberry spanworm, Itame argillacearia, is an important defoliator of wild blueberry. The sex pheromone gland components were isolated from virgin female moths reared in the laboratory. GC-MS and GC-EAD analysis of pheromone gland components, in combination with field trapping studies, identified (3R, 4S)-epoxy- (Z,Z)-6,9-17:H and

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(Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-17:H as the female produced sex pheromone. Field trapping studies showed, significantly more male moths were captured between 10-100 µg loadings of this compounds as a trap bait in sticky traps compared to blank. This pheromone may be useful as trap bait in management of this insect pest in wild blueberry production.

Flaherty, Leah (1,2), Dan Quiring (1), Deepa Pureswaran (3), Jon Sweeney (2) (1) Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5P7; (3) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Laurentian Forest Centre, Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada G1V 4C7 ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Pre- and post-alighting preference for stressed trees in an exotic wood-borer Different mechanisms may mediate insect host selection before (pre-alighting) versus after (post-alighting) landing on potential hosts, but few studies distinguish these behaviours. This study evaluates pre- and post-alighting host selection by Tetropium fuscum (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a Palearctic wood-borer that was recently introduced to Nova Scotia. We evaluate whether T. fuscum select stressed over healthy red spruce for oviposition, as predicted by the preference-performance hypothesis. Adults landed more frequently, and females laid more eggs, on girdled than on healthy trees. Adults rarely made maladapted choices pre-alighting, but post-alighting oviposition on hosts where performance is relatively lower was more common.

Fraser, Sara (1) (1) Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3 ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Resistance of balsam fir to balsam twig aphid and balsam gall midge Balsam gall midge (Paradiplosis tumifex) and balsam twig aphid (Mindarus abietinus) are two major pests in balsam fir (Abies balsamea) Christmas tree plantations in Atlantic Canada. To test the hypothesis that insect resistance is under genetic control, and to evaluate the potential to breed insect resistant trees, I measured the frequency of symptoms associated with feeding by each insect on balsam fir clones in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia tree orchards. Preliminary results of a 2 year study suggest that there is genetically-based resistance of balsam fir to twig aphid and balsam gall midge. Thus, there is potential to select trees resistant to these two pests.

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Gandiaga, Franck (1,2), Jean-Yves Humbert (2) (1) Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada; (2) Université de Bern, Bern, Switzerland ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Ecology of plant and leafhoppers in species-rich subalpine meadows Since the 1992 Earth Summit there has been a shift in agricultural practices toward strategies that maintain an acceptable level of productivity without damaging biodiversity. That is why numerous studies have been carried out to find possible indicator species but always in controlled environments. In this study, done in extensively managed meadows, we evaluated the possible environmental factors affecting the abundance and diversity of plant and leaf hopper. Results indicated that altitude and plant species richness had a positive effect on Auchenorrhyncha abundance, whereas productivity had a negative effect. Previous studies have reached different results.

Hicks, Barry (1) (1) College of the North Atlantic, Carbonear, NL ORAL SUBMITTED The impact of the European Fire Ant (Myrmica rubra) on ground dwelling invertebrates and arboreal insects The presence of the invasive ant, Myrmica rubra, has negative impact on some ground dwelling invertebrates. Data regarding the ants’ impact on tree dwelling insects will also be presented.

Hillier, N.K., Olsson, S.B., Grosse-Wilde, E., Reinecke, A., Hansson, B.S. Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Ave., Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada. ORAL SUBMITTED In Search of the Saarlac: Olfactory physiology of coeloconic sensilla in Manduca sexta The contributions of antennal sensilla coeloconica (SC) to olfactory processing, and the role of iontrophic receptors, aka ‘IRs’ localized within, are poorly understood. We investigated the physiological function of SCs in the Sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. The behavioral relevance for key odorants was also investigated using extracts from M. sexta larval frass (excrement). This will provide a cornerstone for integrating a ‘complete’ model of insect olfaction, and will enable functional and molecular characterization of SC’s. Continued study via behavioural testing of females will determine if the ability to differentially detect such cues will selectively affect choice of oviposition sites.

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Johns, R.C. (1,2), E.S. Eveleigh (1,2), P. McCarthy (1) (1) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB E3G 5P7; (2) Population Ecology Group, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 ORAL SUBMITTED Ontogeny and stand condition influence the dispersal strategy of a specialist budworm caterpillar We investigated the dispersal strategies of young spruce budworm larvae within and between crowns of balsam fir, from the peak to decline of an outbreak. In late summer, neonate larvae dispersed to overwintering sites by ballooning on silken threads – a small number at the tree apex were caught walking down the trunk. In the spring, second- instar larvae searching for feeding sites also ballooned, but were also often captured walking tree trunks. Declining stand condition increased the frequency of ballooning in second-instar larvae, but had little effect on neonates. Dispersal strategies reflected the differing ecological priorities of neonates vs. second instars.

LeClair, G., P. Silk, P. Mayo, E. Eveleigh, R. Graves Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5P7 ORAL SUBMITTED Deciphering the semiochemistry of the balsam fir sawfly, Neodiprion Abietis The Balsam fir sawfly (BFS), Neodiprion abietis Harris (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), sex pheromone remains unknown and its structure elucidation would generate a powerful monitoring tool. Currently, control measure for BFS exists under the form of a formulation of a naturally occurring baculovirus but monitoring relies on visual scouting. The focus of the research project is to identify the sex pheromone used by BFS, and any other semiochemical that synergizes trap capture.

MacKay, Colin (1), Kirk Hillier (1), Jon Sweeney (2) (1) Biology Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS Canada; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Fredericton, NB Canada. ORAL PRESIDENT'S PRIZE Olfactory physiology of the brown spruce longhorn beetle (BSLB), Tetropium fuscum (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) The brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (F.), is an invasive species native to Europe that has become established in Nova Scotia. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine sensillar ultrastructure to confirm the identity of sensilla previously identified using scanning EM based on external morphology. Single sensillum recordings were used to investigate the response of T. fuscum, from both European and Nova Scotia populations, as well as native T. cinnamopterum Kirby, to

…/10 biologically relevant olfactory stimuli. Data gathered will develop a sensillar profile of responses and may be useful for improving current olfactory-based mitigation initiatives.

Mayo, Peter (1) (1) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5P7 ORAL SUBMITTED Development of the Pheromone Component (3Z)-Dodecen-12-olide as a Lure Additive for the Trapping of Emerald Ash Borer: A Chemist's Perspective

Moreau, Gaétan (1), Charles Comeau (1,2), Jean-Pierre Privé (2) (1) Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada; (2) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bouctouche, NB, Canada ORAL SUBMITTED Disentangling the effects of structural and compositional heterogeneity of habitat on animal community assembly We test the hypothesis that increased structural complexity, without any confounding effect of compositional heterogeneity, will lead to an increase in animal species diversity and result in animal communities that are increasingly structured by competition. During the summers of 2008-2009, rain shelters and reflective groundcovers were placed in a red raspberry organic cropping system to assess their independent and combined effects on ground beetle assembly. Increasing structural complexity resulted, through time, in an increase in the activity density and species richness of ground beetles. At the same time, increasing structural complexity promoted segregated species co-occurrence, thus supporting our general hypothesis.

Quiring, Dan (1), Sara Fraser (2), Leah Flaherty (1,2), David Miller, Andrew McCartney (3), Greg Adams (3) (1) Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5A3; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada E3B 5P7; (3) JD Irving Ltd. Sussex Tree Nursery, 181 Aiton Road, Sussex, New Brunswick, E4G 2V5 ORAL SUBMITTED Do native endophytic fungi defend white spruce against the eastern spruce budworm? Previous studies with potted trees have suggested that endophytic fungi in spruce may increase tree resistance to the eastern spruce budworm. We reared native and lab reared second instars on trees that had been inoculated with one or three endophytic

…/11 fungi and compared their performance to that of larvae reared on control trees. The survival of juveniles developing on trees inoculated with endophytic fungi was generally lower than that of juveniles developing on control trees. In contrast, the presence of fungus did influence the sex ratio or size of survivors.

Renkema, Justin (1) (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O. 550, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada ORAL SUBMITTED Blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran) fly movement in and around lowbush blueberry fields Lowbush blueberry fields are often treated with insecticides to reduce blueberry maggot levels in ripe berries. Insecticides could be used on field edges if fly captures are greater than in the field interiors. We captured more total flies and female flies with eggs in crop than in sprout fields. However, we did not find more flies, females with mature eggs, or greater maggot infestations at 5 m than at 30 m into a crop field from the sprout field edge. We also found a positive correlation between fly captures and numbers of ripe lowbush blueberries in forest edges around sprout fields.

Silk, Peter (1), Krista Ryall (2) (1) Natural Resources Canada, Atlantic Forestry Centre, 1350 Regent Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 5P7 Canada; (2) Natural Resources Canada, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5 Canada ORAL SUBMITTED The Chemical Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis (Coleleoptera: Buprestidae): an update The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive buprestid species originating from Asia that has caused extensive mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus spp. L.) (Oleaceae) since its introduction into the USA and Canada. Information on the identity and biological activity of an EAB long range and contact pheromone will be discussed which should increase our understanding of the mating ecology of this and other buprestid species. The pheromones may be useful for monitoring and possible mitigation strategies.

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Poster presentation abstracts / Résumés des présentations par poster

Burgart, Christopher S.F. (1,2), Suzanne Blatt (1), and Kirk Hillier (2) (1) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Kentville, NS, Canada B4N 1J5; (2) Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R6 PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Apple Cultivar Preference in the European Apple Sawfly and Apple Maggot Fly The European apple sawfly Hoplocampa testudinea is an invasive insect found throughout Canada and as of 2009, in Nova Scotia. Field surveys of sawfly cultivar preference showed a preference for Zestar!, Pinova and s23-06-153 cultivars. Larval infestation of fruitlets indicated a preference for Crimson Crisp and Zestar!. A Y-tube bioassay was carried out, although the results did not match field observation of adult sawfly behaviours. Further testing, including electroantennograms, single sensillum recordings and calcium imaging is planned to isolate the specific chemical cues that lead to cultivar preference in this insect.

Colwell, Megan, Dave Shutler Acadia University, Department of Biology PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Diversity of honey bee pollen diets in Maritime crops Honey bees are used worldwide in commercial beekeeping, valued at $1 billion/year in Canada alone. Much of this value is for pollinating crops. However, declines of honey bee populations have been reported around the globe. Pollination of largely monoculture crops could be contributing to nutritional stresses. Honey bee health could be dependent on how they cope with limited pollen sources. Pollen was collected in the Maritime Provinces in summer 2011 from honey bees pollinating apples, blueberries, and cranberries. Except in apples, in almost all cases the majority of pollen was from non- crop sources.

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Factors affecting stage-specific performance of Tetropium fuscum (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Tetropium fuscum (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) colonizes weakened spruce in Europe, but can kill healthy spruce in Canada. Mechanisms promoting performance on healthy trees in Canada but may be related to its colonization of a novel spruce species or its new natural enemy complex. We exposed T. fuscum to different host species, host conditions, and levels of protection from natural enemies. There was no effect of exposure to enemies on T. fuscum performance, but performance was greater on stressed than on healthy trees and on the native compared to the novel host. Attack time influenced all measures of performance, and total survival was highest when larvae attacked mid-season.

Manning, Paul (1), Chris Cutler (1) (1) Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Nocturnal pollinators of lowbush blueberry Lowbush blueberry is a valuable crop of eastern North America that is dependent upon insect-mediated cross-pollination for production. A recent study showed that nocturnal insect activity may contribute significantly to lowbush blueberry fruit-set. Using light traps, and sweep-netting we captured nocturnal insects in a blueberry field. Through removal of pollen from insects and subsequent pollen identification, we found that a large diversity of nocturnal insects carry blueberry pollen. In addition to wild bees, conservation of nocturnal insect diversity could help sustain yields of lowbush blueberry.

Moreau, Gaétan (1), Jean-Philippe Michaud (1,2) (1) Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada; (2) Royal Canadian Mounted Police, High River, Alberta, Canada SUBMITTED POSTER Recurrent perturbations associated with daily maggot sampling in forensic studies affect the assembly of the carrion-insect community Experimental protocols in forensic entomology successional field studies generally involve daily maggot sampling to document species composition on animal carcasses. In this study, we investigated how different levels of daily maggot sampling intensities affected the assembly of the carrion-insect community. Results indicated that increasing intensities of maggot sampling resulted in increasing changes in the insect community structure. This study suggests that the carrion-insect community only has a limited resilience to recurrent perturbations but that collecting less than approximately 5% of total maggot volume appears adequate to ensure that the system is representative of unsampled conditions.

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Nadeau, Paryse (1), Gaétan Moreau (1) (1) Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Shifts in the assemblage structure of saproxylic beetles in response to intensive management of plantation forests Plantation forestry reduces deadwood volume and habitat diversity. In this study, we investigated how deadwood volume produced by different thinning strategies in white spruce plantations affects saproxylic beetle assembly in comparison with unmanaged old growth coniferous forests. Beetles were recovered using flight interception traps. Results indicated that in the first two years following the treatments, thinning contributed to a rapid increase in beetle abundance. Thinned areas had saproxylic beetles abundance comparable to old growth forests but different in terms of assemblage structure compared with old growth forests. This study suggests that thinning strategies could be employed to favor saproxylic beetles.

Saroli, Jesse (1) (1) Acadia University, Department of Biology PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Title: Chemical Ecology of the Blueberry Flea Beetle (Altica sylvia) The blueberry flea beetle Altica sylvia Malloch (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest of North American wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium). Previous studies on genus Altica and other flea beetle genera have shown the presence and activity of aggregation pheromones which influence behaviour of conspecifics. The goal of this project is to identify the semiochemicals, such as a putative aggregation pheromone, which are used by Altica sylivia to find its host plant. Odorant extraction, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and lab and field bioassays will be used to develop monitoring and control tools for this pest species.

Thibault, Monic (1), Gaétan Moreau (1) (1) Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada PRESIDENT'S PRIZE POSTER Effect on cerambycid beetles of variable rates of woody debris retention in spruce plantation: preliminary results Current forestry practices can create highly variable volumes of deadwood. We examined how variable rates of woody debris retention in white spruce plantations and unmanaged old growth coniferous forests affect cerambycid beetles, a family feeding within living, moribund, or decaying wood. The beetles were caught using flight intercept traps and the size and decay class of the woody debris were evaluated. Preliminary results indicated that the volume and decay stage of the woody debris affect

…/15 the abundance and species richness of cerambycid beetles and that the removal of coarse woody debris for biomass has a negative impact on this family.

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