The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently verified a new detection of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) near Torch Lake in western Antrim County. The extent of the infestation has not yet been determined, but an extensive survey of the surrounding area is underway. With this new detection, Antrim becomes the eighth county in the state with an active hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, joining Allegan, Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties.
"The new infestation was found by a landowner who learned about hemlock woolly adelgid while attending an educational outreach event held by the Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Emmet County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area," said Steve Carlson, MDARD's Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. "Situations like this demonstrate the importance of public awareness in our fight against invasive species."
Hemlock woolly adelgids are small insects that use their long, siphoning mouthparts to extract sap from hemlock trees. Their feeding weakens needles, shoots, and branches. Over time, tree growth slows, and trees take on a grayish-green appearance. Without treatment, infested trees die within four to 10 years.
"If left unchecked, hemlock woolly adelgid can cause significant harm to Michigan's estimated 170 million hemlock trees," added Carlson.
Hemlock woolly adelgid can be identified by looking on the undersides of hemlock branches for evidence of round, white ovisacs near the base of the needles. Up close, ovisacs look like balls of spun cotton and may appear alone or in clusters. The short video Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Invasive Species in Michigan provides helpful identification tips.
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Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle