Invasive hemlock woolly adelgid infestation identified in Leelanau County

[marmar]

Leelanau County has been added to Michigan’s hemlock wooly adelgid quarantine, after the insect was found on trees on a private property in Leelanau Township, becoming the ninth county in the state with an active infestation.

Hemlock woolly adelgids are small insects that extract sap from hemlock trees. This can cause needles and buds to die, thinning canopies, slowing tree growth as they take on a grayish-green appearance. Without treatment, these trees die within four to 10 years.

Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties are also facing infestations.

“Hemlock woolly adelgid likely arrived in Michigan on infested nursery stock from northeastern or mid-Atlantic states. Although the tiny insects don’t move far on their own, they can be blown by wind or hitchhike on birds or animals. In a similar way, cars, boats, or RVs parked under infested trees may be able to transport the insects to new locations,” Molly Mott, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) plant health section manager said in a statement. ...................(more)

https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/invasive-hemlock-woolly-adelgid-infestation-identified-in-leelanau-county/

[Traildogbob]

1. It is treatable

One of my Graduates worked in the GSMNP for his intern treating the adelgeid and took those skills private.
It hit WNC in the late nineties. He started his own business, “Hemlock Healers” in late 2000’s
And he has saved so many homeowners the potential loss.
Interesting, one of the systemic injection treatments is a nicotine liquid combination. (Don’t smoke)
The adelgid has devastated Eastern Hemlocks in the Smokies.
Can’t use chemicals in the National Park or get access to the deepest forest areas. Aerial spray, prohibited. Kills so many other organisms.
Eastern Henlock is One of the largest species in the Park, opening canopy and creating a whole ne species composition.
We have a second species, Carolina Hemlock outside the Park that shows little affect, so far.
The Oarj loss is creating massive fuel loads for wildfires. Can not be removed, or prescribed burns.
Another exotic Adelgid (Balsam woolen) devastated our high elevation, Fraser Firs. But hit us in early 70’s.
Out west, Wesrern Hemlock only shows minimal damage.
(I will spare yall all the scientific, Latin Names).
Climate change will create havoc with exotic insects and diseases, heading north as ecosystems heat up.
Our Forests are in danger.