Entomological Society of Canada Student Member Information Form

Name: Édith Cadieux

University: Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Address: Laboratoire d'écologie végétale, 555 boul. Université. Chicoutimi (Qc) G7H 2B1

E-mail Address: ecadieux@uqac.ca

Advisor(s): Hubert Morin

Thesis Title: "Conophytes of balsam fir (Abies balsamea): their impacts on seed production and regeneration in boreal forest"

Research Summary: Many phytophagous insects used cones as food source. Some of them can develop or feed only on these structures:they are referred as "conophytes". Because of their alimentation, these insects can cause great seed loss. Their impact on seed production might affect the natural regeneration of their host. To the contrary as economically species such as Douglas fir and Black spruce, cone and seed insects of balsam fir are still misunderstood. The purpose of this research is to increase knowledge on the cone entomofauna of balsam fir, in natural boreal stands. The first step is to gain information on the richness, biodiversity and biology of the conophytes as well as on the interaction between their abundance and the cropsize. Also, the project will allow us to quantify seed loss associated to the cone infesting insects in order to evaluate the further impact of this predispersal seed predation on the emergence of balsam fir seedlings

Keywords: Cone and seed insects, pre-dispersal seed predation, natural regeneration, Megastigmus, Cecidomyidae

Degree Sought: Ph.D.

Expected Year of Completion: 2005