Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Identifying and Managing This Invasive Threat

If your hemlock trees along the Soque River show progressive branch dieback and decline, they're likely infested with hemlock woolly adelgid—an invasive, aphid-like insect native to Japan. This pest has devastated thousands of Appalachian hemlocks, which represent some of the only old-growth forests in the eastern U.S. and are crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality.

Research shows promise in biological control: a tiny Japanese ladybug (Pseudoscymnus tsugae) has a voracious appetite for adelgids. The non-profit Lumpkin Coalition is raising funds to establish a laboratory for rearing these predator beetles. Learn more about adelgid identification, management options, and the Coalition's efforts at their website.