Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

2010 is a banner year--or not--for finding hemlock woolly adelgid. The warm winter has allowed populations to build to detectable levels in new locations. To date it has been found as far east as Georgetown--more than 40 miles east of the site in Saco that held the record for easterly detections in 2009. I encourage everyone spending time with hemlocks within 20 miles of the coast to look for this insect. It will only be on hemlock. Look at the undersides of the hemlock twigs on the last several year's of growth for the tell-tale woolly masses. Other things such as pitch and mealybugs may resemble hemlock woolly adelgid. While you're looking at the twigs for adelgid, keep an eye out on the undersides of the needles for elongate hemlock scale, a lesser known but equally damaging invasive insect. More information about both of these insects can be found at www.maineforestservice.gov/InvasiveThreats.htm (links to dedicated pages for each can be found at the site).