Associations Between Soil Type, Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) Provenance, and the Abundance of the Pine Beauty Moth, Panolis Flammea

(1) Pupal numbers of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea, were highest in areas of deep unflushed peat and lowest in areas of peaty gleys and mineral soils. Soil suitability for lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, was negatively correlated with number of pupae m-2(2) There were many pupae associated with P contorta from the north and centre of British Columbia. Few pupae were associated with P contorta from the south coastal areas. (3) Within trees of the same provenance, higher pupal densities were associated with deep unflushed peat than with other soil types. (4) It is concluded that tree vigour (a consequence of soil type) is a major factor in the population dynamics of P. flammea. It is likely that emphasis on the planting of less susceptible trees would lessen the dangers of outbreaks occurring in poor soil areas.