Citizen Science Opportunity: Protect Our Hemlock Trees
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an aphid-like insect, originating from Asia that feeds off of the food storage cells below the needles of an Eastern Hemlock tree and hides itself under white woolly masses for protection. Within only a matter of 4-10 years an individual tree can succumb to an HWA infestation if left unnoticed. This deadly bug has been progressively moving closer to our area as it has spread throughout much of the eastern United States, leaving massive stands of hemlocks dead in their wake. Early detection of this particular pest is crucial as the spread of HWA can be managed....
Read MoreWinter 2019 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Surveys
Winter 2019 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Surveys Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an aphid-like insect, originating from Asia, which feeds off of the food storage cells below the needles of an Eastern Hemlock tree and hides itself under white woolly masses for protection. Within only a matter of 4-10 years an individual tree can succumb to an HWA infestation if left unnoticed. This deadly bug has been progressively moving closer to the area as it has spread throughout much of the eastern United States, leaving massive stands of hemlocks dead in their wake. Early detection of this particular pest is...
Read MoreHemlock Woolly Adelgid Citizen Scientist Training November 1st
Although autumn is just beginning here in Western New York, the winter season will soon be upon us. The colder months, November through March to be exact, is the perfect time of year to search the area’s forests for an invasive forest pest known as Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). HWA is an aphid-like insect, originating from Asia, which feeds off of the food storage cells below the needles of an Eastern Hemlock tree and hides itself under white woolly masses for protection. Within only a matter of 4-10 years an individual tree can succumb to an HWA infestation if left unnoticed. This deadly...
Read MoreSoggy HWA Survey
Our first two Hemlock Woolly Adelgid surveys have been successful in the fact that we haven’t found any evidence of the little invasive pests! However, this past week’s survey was rather wet due to the massive amount of rain and snow melt Chautauqua County has experienced. As you can see it looks as though the salamanders should be coming out soon and checking out these pools, but hopefully this wacky weather won’t wake them up quite yet!
Read MoreForest Pest Project Continues
As National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) continues, we are continuing to work on our Collaborative Forest Pest Outreach Project in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. Today we erected Help Me! signs on Ash trees in a park in Kennedy, New York, an active fishing area and trail-head for the snowmobile trails. Through this project we hope to reach those that visit the park, and other areas where these signs are posted, educating about forest pests such as Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Emerald Ash Borer in a fun and empowering way.
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