The Spence Laboratory

I investigated the ecology and biological control of Ambermarked birch leafminer (Profenusa thomsoni) by the parasitoid wasp, Lathrolestes luteolator. P. thomsoni was introduced in the early 1990’s to Anchorage, Alaska where it now causes severe damage birch. L. luteolator has effectively controlled P. thomsoni in other areas but does not appear to have been introduced to Alaska along with the leafminer. The primary aim of my project is to introduce L. luteolator to Alaska and establish a population that will eventually control P. thomsoni. Additionally I also investigated the ecological relationship between P. thomsoni, L. luteolator and birch, the distribution of P. thomsoni and two other related species in Alaska, the biogeography of P. thomsoni in North America. An additional component of my research was evaluating the species – host relationship of the Lathrolestes genus in North America parasitizing other leafmining sawflies. This work was part of a joint project between the US and Canadian Forest Services with fieldwork in Anchorage, Alaska.

Publications:

MacQuarrie CJK, Langor DW, Sperling FAH. (2007) Mitochondrial DNA variation in two invasive birch leafmining sawflies in North America. The Canadian Entomologist, 139: 545-553

Snyder C, MacQuarrie CJK, Hard J, Kruse J, Zogas K. (2007) Invasive species in the Last Frontier - Distribution and phenology of Birch Leaf Mining sawflies in Alaska. Journal of Forestry, 105: 113-119

MacQuarrie CJK, Boiteau G, Quiring D. (2004) Influence of wing loading on Colorado potato beetle flight. The Canadian Entomologist, 136: 109-117

MacQuarrie CJK, Boiteau G. (2003) Effect of diet and feeding history on flight of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 107: 207-213

MacQuarrie CJK, Boiteau G. (2003) Vertical distribution profile of Colorado potato beetle [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] in flight above host, resistant host and non-host fields. Phytoprotection 84 (3): 133-139.

MacQuarrie CJK. (2002) Effect of food quality on Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) flight. Masters Thesis. University of New Brunswick. Fredericton, New Brunswick.