Control of white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi, on Sitka spruce using implants containing systemic insecticide

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Abstract
Young Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr., trees in three stands were treated with either Gelcaps® containing oxydemeton-methyl or Acecaps® containing acephate to test their effectiveness in protecting trees from white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck) attack. All treatments were applied in late March 1989. Weevil attack was recorded in early September 1989, 1990 and 1991. Attack was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in all but one stand/treatment combination in 1989. Gelcaps provided significant protection (P < 0.01) in two of three stands after two years. Stem implants containing systemic insecticide can protect young Sitka spruce from weevil attack. Alternative delivery systems, such as the Ezect® lance, should be evaluated as they may improve the speed and lower the cost of operational treatments. Keywords: acephate, oxydemeton-methyl, stem implants, systemic insecticides, white pine weevil