Aerial application planned to manage spruce budworm in Northern Maine towns.

Notice of Aerial Application Maine Budworm Response Coalition
Notice of Aerial Application

A cooperative monitoring program involving University, State, and private forestry professionals has identified spruce budworm populations that exceed the action threshold of an Early Intervention Strategy for spruce budworm management in Northern Maine. Treatment of these growing populations is planned in the Aroostook County towns of: Frenchville, Fort Kent, Saint Agatha, T17 R4 WELS, T17 R5 WELS, New Canada, Wallagrass, T17 R13 WELS, Stockholm, T16 R4 WELS, T16 R14 WELS, T16 R13 WELS, Westmanland, T15 R15 WELS, T15 R13 WELS, T15 R12 WELS, T14 R14 WELS, T14 R13 WELS, T14 R12 WELS, T14 R11 WELS, T14 R10 WELS, T13 R15 WELS, T13 R14 WELS, T13 R12 WELS, T13 R11 WELS, T16 R12 WELS, T15 R11 WELS, T15 R10 WELS. This action will reduce the potential for a spruce budworm outbreak in Maine and prevent the associated tree mortality caused by an uncontrolled outbreak. 

The treatment window, coinciding with ideal budworm and tree development, is predicted to be between May 20 and June 25. Depending on location and forest conditions, the treatments will use aerial applications of either Mimic 2 LV or Foray 76B. The active ingredients in these insecticides are tebufenozide and Btk, respectively. Both are targeted to caterpillars feeding at and around treatment time. Information will be posted at all normal entrances to treatment areas. 

For more information visit www.sprucebudwormmaine.org, contact JBI Helicopters at (603) 225-3134 or Maine Forest Service at (207) 827-1813. You may also contact the Maine Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or the Board of Pesticides Control at (207) 287-2731. 

May 6, 2026