Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an aphid-like insect that solely feeds on hemlock timber. First present in British Columbia 100 years in the past, and in Virginia within the Fifties, the insect ultimately kills the timber. While circumstances of HWA had been present in Ontario as way back as 2012, all had been contained within the Niagara Peninsula. Of the 2 circumstances this yr, one was in Pelham inside Niagara, whereas the opposite was in Grafton in Northumberland County.
Hemlock is a crucial tree for fish and wildlife in addition to the forestry business. The timber help with temperature regulation in streams, which permits cold-water species like brook trout to outlive. It additionally offers cowl for deer and birds within the winter.
“The impacts to wildlife would include the loss of winter cover for deer, moose, and birds as well as a reduction in food source for forest animals,” stated Alison Morris, coordinator of Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program. “The dense branches of hemlock are a great source of shelter and used as bedding sites for white-tailed deer.”
Watch for indicators
Signs of an HWA infestation embody dieback of twigs and branches on a hemlock tree. The bugs are tiny, lower than a millimetre in size within the nymph stage, and the adults appear like aphids. Eggs are amber in color and contained in a woolly, white sack on the base of the needles from November to May.
As a results of the most recent circumstances, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has positioned a restriction on any motion of hemlock tree supplies, and firewood of all species, from the City of Niagara Falls, the Township of Wainfleet, and the Town of Fort Erie.
Any suspected circumstances of HWA ought to be reported by calling the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or by visiting EDDMapS.org or iNaturalist.org.