Evaluating a potential area-wide IPM strategy for managing hemlock woolly adelgid in the Eastern United States
Evaluating a Potential Area-wide IPM Strategy for Managing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in the Eastern United States
Sumpter, K, Salom, S, Carlyle, B, Mayfield III, A, Anderson, T, McAvoy, T. (2015)
Use of the neonicitinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, has been found to be highly effective in suppressing hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Eisneback et al. 2010, Eiesenback et al. 2014, Mayfield et al 2014). Similarly, Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Ln) (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) has been found to be a likely candidate for biological control (Zilahi-Balogh et al. 2002). Each control tactic has different objectives and outcomes. In an attempt to utilize the best of both approaches, a project was designed to develop a pest management strategy that utilizes both tactics concurrently within the same sites. The goal of this project is to assess the efficacy of a combined chemical – biological control strategy designed to reduce HWA populations and improve the health of hemlock forests. The project is being conducted across three states; Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, and began in 2010 with data having been collected annually since then. Continued data collection will be carried out at all three sites through spring 2016. Thus far, tree health has declined across all sites regardless of treatment type, and HWA population indices have been shown to be highly variable. Ln was initially recovered from its release plots (KY = 2010-2013, WV = 2011-2013) however, there have been no successful recoveries in 2014 and 2015 at any site.
See more of: Student TMP Competition
