The spruce budworm is one of the most devastating insect pests affecting the Canadian forest industry, which contributes $ 20 billion to the Canadian GNP and represents 10% of all jobs in Canada. With the realization of the adverse environmental affects of chemical pesticides, research has turned to biological agents such as viruses and bacteria as a potentially environmentally safe control mechanism.

          To enhance the activity of a virus,it is essential to understand the biology and genomics of the virus as well as its insect host. This project will examine the genomics of the spruce budworm and its viruses as well as the genomics of their interactions with a view to developing pest control strategies that are environmentally benign. Such research will have an impact not only the forest industry but also on the pharmaceutical, veterinary and agricultural sectors.

       The project will be led by scientists at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre of the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada located in Sault Ste. Marie.