Our achievements

SOPFIM’s core activities consist in direct protection programs based on the aerial spraying of biological insecticide.

• Spruce budworm, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and North Shore regions [2010].
  
• Spruce budworm, North Shore region [2009].
  
• Jack pine budworm, Kenora (Ontario) [2007].
• Eastern hemlock looper, North Shore region [2000 - 2001]. 
• Whitemarked tussock moth, Nova Scotia [1998]. 
• Eastern hemlock looper, Gaspé Peninsula region [1997].
• Spruce budworm, Gaspé Peninsula and North Shore regions [1992].
  
• Eastern hemlock looper, Lower St-Lawrence region [1992].

On the basis of its unique fund of expertise, SOPFIM has been entrusted with a variety of assignments by several organizations both in Canada and abroad.

• Spruce budworm risk analysis: Aerial spray program using organic insecticides, Forest Pests National Strategy (contract for QMNRW) [2010].
• Surveillance of herbicide application for vegetation control in military training fields, National Defence, Canadian Forces Base/Area Valcartier [2009].
• Manpower training to operational spray programs, Mali [2008].
• Manpower training to operational spray programs, Mauritania [2007].
• Provincial government plan of public health protection against the West Nile virus, Montreal region [2006].
• Provincial government plan of public health protection against the West Nile virus, Montreal region [2005].
• Provincial government plan of public health protection against the West Nile virus, Montreal region [2004].
• Aerial protection program with insecticide against the desert locust, Mauritania [2004].
• Provincial government plan of public health protection against the West Nile virus, Montreal region [2003].

Within the framework of its mission, SOPFIM has carried out several knowledge acquisition projects in keeping with its objective of continually improving its spraying techniques, spray program logistics and treatment efficacy – while also helping to reduce the costs of its interventions. Accordingly, SOPFIM has initiated several research and development projects that it has completed either within the organization or in collaboration with researchers of repute.

• Spruce budworm mating success in a range of insect density levels: an allee effect on population dynamics [in progress] (3, 9).
• Experimental pheromone applications using Disrupt Micro-flakes SBW® for the control of the spruce budworm populations: Quebec mating disruption trials [2008] (1, 5, 6).
• Optimization of Btk aerial spraying programs against the spruce budworm using different strategies based on protection levels [in progress] (3, 4).
• Influence of protection levels on growth and mortality of susceptible tree species to spruce budworm attack in eastern Quebec forests [in progress].
• Wood loss reduction following Btk aerial spraying programs against the spruce budworm in southwestern Quebec [1995-2003] (4).
• Improvement of Btk prescriptions chart for a better forest protection against the spruce budworm in Quebec [2003] (7).
• Early intervention against the spruce budworm using Btk aerial applications [1999-2000] (2, 3, 7, 9).
• Eastern hemlock looper egg parasitism by Telenomus spp., a major factor related to outbreak decline [1997 - 2001] (3, 9).
• Sublethal effects of Btk on spruce budworm populations following aerial application in infested balsam fir stands [1997 - 2000] (7).
• Aerial field trials of new Btk formulations against the eastern hemlock looper [2000 - 2001].
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Efficacy at different timing related to larval instars [2001] (2, 7).
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Comparative efficacy on balsam fir and white spruce [2000] (7).
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Comparative efficacy in healthy and highly defoliated balsam fir stands [1999] (7).
• Aerial field trials of new Btk formulations against the spruce budworm [1998-1999, 2001, 2005 - 2010].
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Effect of balsam fir flowering conditions on treatment efficacy [1998] (7).
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Effect of low dosage on forest protection levels [1997] (2, 7).
• Development of monitoring tools for eastern hemlock looper population management [1993 - 2000] (3, 9).
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Effect of high dosage and time interval between two successive applications on forest protection levels [1996 -1997] (2, 7).
• Btk experimental field trials against the spruce budworm – Treatment efficacy in very high insect population densities [1995].
• Environmental impact evaluation for a 5-year (1993-1997) insecticide aerial application program against the spruce budworm – Part 1 [1991-1993] (8, 9).
• Environmental impact evaluation for a 5-year (1993-1997) insecticide aerial application program against the eastern hemlock looper, the Swaine jack pine sawfly, and the jack pine budworm – Part 2 [1991-1993] (9, 10).

Collaborators :

1. Bedoukian Research Inc.
2. Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service
3. Laurentian Forestry Service, Canadian Forest Service
4. iFOR Consortium, Laval University
5. Forest Protection Limited
6. Hercon Environmental
7. Forest entomology laboratory, Laval University
8. Lavalin Environment Inc.
9. Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife
10. Sylvico Inc.