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Darren C. Blackford

Address:

219 Hodson Hall 1980 Folwell Ave University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108-6125 Phone: (612)624-3037 Fax: (612)625-5299

Degree Sought:

M.S. Entomology

Major Advisor:

Steven Seybold

E-mail:

black059@tc.umn.edu

Education:

B.S. - Forest Management, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Curriculum vitae

Download my CV file: Curriculum vitae in Word or PDF format

Research Interests:

The basis of my research is to monitor the population levels and impact of the eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) on white spruce (Picea glauca) growth both in thinned and unthinned conditions. I will conduct this research by branch sampling for egg masses, early instar larvae, and pupae (45 cm branches from mid-crown, 2 branches per tree), water trapping (traps placed at dripline of crown to capture dispersing late instar larvae), and pheromone trapping (to capture adult males). Ultimately, this information will be integrated with the thinning regimes used in the white spruce stands to apply a relatively new silvicultural tool, Density Management Diagrams (DMDs), to forest insect management. DMDs have rarely been applied to management of non-forest tree resources and my project would be the first application of DMDs to forest insect management with implications for widespread application in forest health management on a national level. My goal is to provide these diagrams to manage white spruce plantations in a manner that reduces the impact of spruce budworm feeding on the white spruce resource. See general research ABSTRACT

See Spruce Budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana photo page

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Please direct questions or comments about this webpage to: Darren Blackford, black059@tc.umn.edu