Entomological Society of Canada Student Member Information Form

Name: Valérie Caron

University: University of British Columbia

Address: Department of Zoology, 6270 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4

E-mail Address: caron@zoology.ubc.ca

Advisor(s): Judy Myers and Dave Gillespie

Thesis Title: "Aspects of the biological control of cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), in greenhouses ".

Research Summary: The cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) is the only Lepidoptera causing problems to the greenhouse industry in British Columbia. It causes significant damage at the immature stage, feeding readily on tomato, cucumber and pepper foliage, and at higher densities also causing damage to fruit. Due to the development of resistance to the biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Janmaat and Myers 2003), the management of the cabbage looper becomes more challenging and novel ways of control have to be investigated.
I am working on 3 aspects of the cabbage looper system to improve the current management of the pest.
1. Assess change of overwintering capabilities as a fitness cost of the development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis
2. Evaluate the potential of a parasitoid, Compsilura concinnata as a biological control agent in greenhouses
3. Assess population dynamics of the cabbage looper in the fields, greenhouses and environment adjacent to greenhouses, focusing on parasitoids.

Keywords: cabbage looper, resistance, parasitoid, Compsilura, biological control .

Degrees Sought: M.Sc.

Expected Year of Completion: 2005