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Gray Spruce Looper

A. J. Stewart

Introduction

The gray spruce looper, Caripeta divisata, is common in British Columbia but only occasionally caus-es visible damage. The first record of damage was in 1961 when stands of western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, in the Zymoetz River area near Terrace were lightly defoliated. The next and most recent outbreak was in 1990 and 1991 in southeastern B. C. Moderate and severe defoliation caused top kill and mortality of mainly western hemlock over more than 4000 ha near Arrow, Slocan, Box and Duncan lakes.

This insect is known widely in North America. In some publications and at some locations in eastern Canada and the United States it is also known as the gray forest looper.

For more information, see the Gray Spruce Looper Forest Pest Leaflet in the Canadian Forest Service bookstore.