In the spring two generations hatch from the eggs laid in the white cottony ovisacs found on the. The hemlock woolly adelgid hwa, a native of asia, is a 2 inch long reddish purple insect that lives within its own protective coating. The egg sacs of these insects look like the tips of cotton swabs clinging to the undersides of hemlock branches. These tiny insects secrete white wax as they feed on sap from hemlock shoots and branches. Hwa feed by sucking fluids from hemlock twigs just at the base of the needles figure 3, depleting the tree of needed energy. This nonnative invasive insect has caused significant hemlock defoliation and mortality in pennsylvania forests. Hemlock woolly adelgid annual life cycle on hemlock in north america host trees the only host for the hwa in eastern canada is the eastern hemlock tsuga canadensis, while other nonnative tree species that are grown as ornamentals in the region may. Hemlock woolly adelgid pest alert usda forest service. Meeting the threat of the hemlock woolly adelgid entomology. Hemlock woolly adelgid hwa adelges tsugae is killing hemlock trees in the eastern united states figure 1, 2. This article will cover the biology of this pest, the impact that its had, and what can be done to control this insect. Optimized insecticide dosage for hemlock woolly adelgid. Hemlock woolly adelgid hwa adelges tsugae is an invasive pest that is threatening eastern and carolina hemlocks. Hemlock woolly adelgid adelges tsugae annand on this page.
It is included in the gallery of pests for general information purposes only. Hemlock woolly adelgid hwa, adelges tsugae annand hemiptera. Hemlock woolly adelgid was introduced from asia into the pacific northwest in 1924. Adelgids are a small family of insects closely related to aphids and feed on plant. Woolly adelgids sleep through the summer and are active when temperatures cool. The hemlock woolly adelgid hwa is a tiny insect that is closely related to the aphids. This insect was introduced from japan to virginia in the early 1950s and has since spread north to maine and south to georgia.
The hemlock woolly adelgid adelges tsugae was first reported in the 1920s, when it was observed attacking western. Forest health fact sheet hemlock woolly adelgid pa dcnr. Hemlock woolly adelgid is native to japan and possibly china, where it feeds on asian hemlock and spruce species in forests and landscapes. Landscape patterns of hemlock decline in new england due to the introduced hemlock woolly adelgid.
Feeding damage leads to decline and can cause mortality of affected trees. The woolly adelgid is an aphidlike insect that can grow and reproduce on all types of hemlocks, but only the eastern and carolina hemlocks. Hemlock woolly adelgid treatment for private landowners. The hemlock woolly adelgid adelges tsugae is a serious threat to our state tree, the eastern hemlock, in pennsylvania and across the united states. Field surveys and evaluation of native and established predators of the. This invasive insect is native to japan and has been in the eastern united states since the 1950s. The woolly adelgid is considered a serious threat to species of eastern hemlocks and to the overall health of forest and river ecosystems. Hemlock woolly adelgid university of maryland extension. Hemlock woolly adelgid great smoky mountains national. Known populations in maine are confined to coastal regions of the state and are scattered. Adelges tsugae, or hwa, is an insect of the order hemiptera true bugs native to east asia. It is covered with a woolly or fluffy, white waxy covering for most of its life. Adelgids, in general, are associated with conifers and produce galls and or woolly masses.
The hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive aphidlike insect that feeds on hemlocks. The past, present, and future of the hemlock woolly adelgid mdpi. Read on to learn more about the woolly adelgid, and find out how to tell if the hemlocks in your yard are infested. Maine has an hwa quarantine to slow the spread of hwa in the state. White, woolly masses that shelter these sapfeeding insects are at the bases of hemlock needles along infested branches. Adelges tsugae, the hemlock woolly adelgid, is a fluidfeeding insect that feeds on hemlock trees throughout eastern north america, including pennsylvania. The nonnative hemlock woolly adelgid is steadily killing eastern hemlock trees in many parts of eastern north america. Hemlock woolly adelgid trees university of maryland. In these areas as many as 80 percent of the hemlocks have died due to infestation. The life cycle of the hemlock woolly adelgid is complex, involving both hemlock and spruce picea spp.
Native to asia, the hemlock woolly adelgid, or hwa, is an invasive, aphidlike insect that attacks north american hemlocks. The hemlock woolly adelgid, or hwa, is a small invasive insect that is killing eastern and carolina hemlock trees in eastern north america. The hemlock woolly adelgid hwa is a small aphidlike insect that feeds on hemlock tsuga spp. The hemlock woolly adelgid adelges tsugae annand is a tiny aphidlike insect that is a serious pest of hemlock in maryland. This insect was introduced from japan to virginia in the early 1950s and has since spread north to maine. Each hemlock woolly adelgid ovisac contains an adult female and an accumulation of eggs. The hemlock woolly adelgid hwa adelges tsugae annand figure 1 is a destructive, nonnative pest of forest and ornamental hemlock trees in eastern north. This small aphidlike insect sucks sap from young twigs, resulting in discoloration and loss of needles, eventually killing the tree. The hemlock woolly adelgid is a tiny, aphidlike insect that is a serious pest of hemlock in maryland. Mortality and recovery of hemlock woolly adelgid adelges. Native to asia, the hemlock woolly adelgid adelges tsugae is a small, aphidlike insect that threatens the health and sustainability of eastern. Woolly adelgid control preventing hemlock woolly adelgid.
Adelgids are found primarily on the young branches of mature hemlocks at the bases. The hemlock woolly adelgid is a tiny, aphidlike insect that is ravaging hemlocks from maine to georgia. Hemlock woolly adelgid hwa feeding can kill needles, shoots and branches. Over time, growth slows as trees become less vigorous and trees may take on a grayishgreen appearance. It is illegal to move hemlock trees from the quarantine area to any other part of the state. As shown, these voracious little predator beetles will tear open an hwa ovisac and consume all the contents before moving on to the next.
The hemlock woolly adelgid, or hwa, is an invasive, aphidlike insect that attacks north american hemlocks. The hemlock woolly adelgid has infested hemlocks on the blue ridge parkway for about 10 years and in shenandoah national park since the late 1980s. Hemlock woolly adelgid hemlock woolly adelgid hwa is an invasive insect that attacks and kills hemlock trees. The loss of hemlock alters landscapes and threatens this tree resource in forests and urban areas.
893 215 1074 532 559 1642 154 1489 236 1054 1061 770 1185 1266 51 1116 376 1156 952 191 268 1638 591 454 949 852 929 845 621 416 197 1416 1537 1084 1626 1567 308 97 744 542 923 552 693 331 665 811 210 383