Christopher J. Lucarotti, Edward G. Kettela and George Mudryj
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service

SERG Project #2000/07
Year of Project: 2000-2004
Report Received: 2006

In 1997, a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NeabNPV) was isolated from the balsam fir sawfly [Neodiprion abietis (Harris)]. The balsam fir sawfly had become a major defoliator of pre-commercially thinned balsam fir stands, especially in western Newfoundland (Canada), beginning in the early 1990’s. With no control measures in hand, NeabNPV was developed as an agent for the biological control of balsam fir sawfly. To this end, research was carried out on a number of fronts including NeabNPV field efficacy, studies on mammalian and nontarget invertebrate toxicology, balsam fir sawfly life table, ecology and impact on balsam fir trees and NeabNPV genome sequencing and analysis. As part of the field efficacy trials 22,550 hectares of balsam fir sawfly infested forest were aerially treated with NeabNPV between 2000 and 2005. NeabNPV was found to be both efficacious and economical for the suppression of balsam fir sawfly outbreak populations. Results from all of the research, both basic and applied, were included in the submission to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) (Health Canada) in June 2004 for the registration of NeabNPV under the trade name, Abietiv. Temporary registration of Abietiv was received from the PMRA in April, 2006. Herein are contained all of the nonproprietory information that was submitted to the PMRA over the course of the registration process up to the receipt of the temporary registration for Abietiv.