Spruce budworm policy in Maine: tradition, conflict, and adaptation [Pest insects, costs, losses, pest control methods, forestry policies, legislation, history, forests, Choristoneura fumiferana, forest insects, programs]

In the late 1970s an outbreak of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) combined with rising protection costs, environmental concerns, and recognition of the long-term nature of the infestation demanded new approaches to forest management. Through adaptation of traditional policy, frequent conflict, and innovation the Maine Department of Conservation and private landowners refined their understanding of the budworm infestation and have adopted forest management techniques in lieu of exclusive reliance on insecticides. As knowledge of the budworm problem continues to grow, and as spray costs continue to rise, further revisions in policy will most likely be needed.