Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Annand, 1924

 

 

Adelges tsugae is native to East Asia (from the Himalayas to Taiwan and Japan). Accidentally introduced to eastern North America in the 1950s, and now ranges from southern Quebec and Nova Scotia to Georgia. It also occurs (and may be native) in western North America. This species is found in forests with presence of hemlocks (Tsuga spp.). Adults are 0.8-1.5 mm long, red-purple to purple-black; nymphs covered with white, cottony wax. The egg sacs resemble small tufts of cotton, and usually placed on the underside of hemlock branches. The larvae can spread by wind and other means; 1-2 generations per year. A. tsugae feeds on sap and cellular tissue of hemlock needles (leaves). In eastern North America it causes defoliation, limb dieback, and often death of Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana). This invasive species is presently found in over 90% of T. canadensis range.

 

		D61350 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Rothrock State Forest Pennsylvania, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D61347 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Rothrock State Forest Pennsylvania, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved

 

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