Modeling weather-driven long-distance dispersal of spruce budworm moths (Choristoneura fumiferana). Part 1: Model description

•Outbreaks of spruce budworm currently affect fir/spruce forests in eastern Canada.•We redeveloped an agent-based, weather-driven model of above-canopy moth dispersal.•New formulations of moth flight response to the environment improve on prior work.•Moth morphology and response differ by sex, producing different dispersal outcomes.•Sex-based roles and dispersal patterns may inform analyses of ongoing outbreaks.