The spruce budworm is a normal part of forest ecosystems in Canada. However a cyclical surge in population typically occurs every 30-40 years which can lead to the defoliation of tens of millions of hectares of trees. Researchers at Natural Resources are currently looking at strategies to help advert such outbreaks to prevent reduced tree growth and mortality.
For an accessible version of this video, please visit:
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science/video/7367