Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki application on non-target nocturnal macromoth biodiversity in the eastern boreal forest, Canada ...

• Main Author: Young, Jodi Olivia
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2023
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48336/acq0-bc92; https://research.library.mun.ca/16099/

Lepidoptera, including butterflies and moths, play vital roles as herbivores, pollinators, and food sources, but also include species considered forest pests. The impact of Bacillus thuringiensis subs. kurstaki (Btk), a widely used bio-insecticide for controlling forest pests like the spruce budworm, on non-target lepidoptera in Canada remains uncertain. To address this, I established a replicated field study to evaluate the effects of Btk on non-target nocturnal macromoth communities in the eastern boreal forest of western Newfoundland, Canada. Over two years, I sampled moths across four groups: north treatment, north control, south treatment, and south control. My analysis focused on species diversity, abundance, and composition. Results showed no significant differences in total abundance or species composition between treatment and control groups. In 2022, control sites had significantly higher Hill numbers for Shannon and Simpson diversity compared to treatment sites. In 2021, differences in Hill ...