Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Hemlock woolly adelgid, commonly abbreviated as HWA, is a true bug native to East Asia that feeds by sucking sap from hemlock and spruce trees. In eastern North America, it is a destructive pest that poses a major threat to the eastern hemlock and the Carolina hemlock. The range of eastern hemlock trees extends north of the current range of the adelgid, but there are fears that the adelgid could spread to infect these northern areas as well.

The Origins of HWA in the U.S.

Accidentally introduced to North America from Asia in 1924, HWA was first found in the eastern United States some decades later. In Pennsylvania, for example, the earliest record is from 1967. The pest has now been established in 11 eastern states from Georgia to Massachusetts, causing widespread mortality of hemlock trees. As of 2007, 50% of the geographic range of eastern hemlock has been impacted by hemlock woolly adelgids.

How to Identify Hemlock Woolly Adelgids

The presence of HWA can be identified by its egg sacs, which resemble small tufts of cotton clinging to the underside of hemlock branches. Hemlocks stricken by hemlock woolly adelgids frequently shift to a grayish-green appearance rather than the dark green of healthy hemlocks.

The Lifecycle of HWA

In North America, the hemlock woolly adelgid reproduces asexually and can have two generations per year. Between 100 and 300 eggs are laid in the woolly egg sacs beneath the branches. Larvae emerge in spring and can spread on their own or with the assistance of wind, birds, and/or mammals. In the nymph stage, the adelgid is immobile and settles on a single tree.

How Hemlock Woolly Adelgids Affect Trees

The hemlock woolly adelgid feeds on the phloem sap of tender hemlock shoots. It may also inject a toxin while feeding. The resulting desiccation causes the tree to lose needles and not produce new growth. In the northern portion of the hemlock's range, death typically occurs four to 10 years after infestation. Trees that survive the direct effects of the infection are usually weakened and may die from secondary causes.