INVASIVE PEST FOUND at FERRY BEACH STATE PARK

July 10, 2008

Augusta, ME - Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect that infests, damages and kills hemlock trees, has been found at Ferry Beach State Park in Saco. The adelgid is established in many forested and residential areas of Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick, Wells and York. A quarantine on hemlock material is in place in those five towns and Ogunquit.

Park ranger Janet Mangion, who received HWA detection training three years ago, discovered what she believed to be HWA while pruning roadside trees in the park. She sent a sample to the Maine Forest Service (MFS) Insect and Disease lab, where entomologists confirmed its identity on July 1. “We depend upon an informed public for help in fighting this pest. They are a critical piece of our detection process,” said MFS entomologist Allison Kanoti.

Early detection is key in slowing the artificial spread of HWA. While natural spread of the insect, caused when HWA is carried by birds, wildlife and wind, is inevitable, it is slow. When HWA is artificially exported from infested areas, on recreational vehicles, clothing, live hemlocks, or pets, there is great potential for a much more rapid distribution of the insects.

Maine Forest Service, Forest Health and Monitoring staff members are working with park personnel to determine the level of infestation and address high risk areas. Early results indicate a low-level, spotty presence of the adelgid. Park rangers have pruned infested hemlock material likely to be encountered by hikers, picnickers and other park users. Further management options include chemical, mechanical and biological controls. An integrated management strategy will be developed as survey results give managers a more detailed picture of the infestation.

“We are taking this recent discovery of HWA seriously and implementing all necessary procedures to monitor its presence and prevent artificial spread,” Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick K. McGowan said. “We are very grateful to Janet Mangion and other conscientious people who take note of suspected invasive pests and bring them to our attention.”

“The MFS cannot survey all of Southern Maine’s threatened hemlocks by ourselves,” said Kanoti. “MFS volunteers, arborists and foresters are key partners in finding new infestations. I encourage people to inspect hemlocks surrounding their homes for signs of the adelgid.” HWA appear as white, cottony, immobile masses on hemlocks. They attach to the undersides of hemlock twigs, at the bases of the needles. Suspected HWA samples can be sent to the Forest Insect and Disease Lab in a sealed, Ziploc-type bag for identification.

“If you live in or near an infested area, help prevent the artificial spread of HWA by pruning hemlock branches that delivery vehicles, people and pets may brush up against,” Kanoti said. “Because birds can move HWA on their feet and feathers, try to place feeders away from any hemlock trees and consider removing them between March and August when adelgid eggs and mobile young (crawlers) are present.”

The MFS can provide assistance to groups and individuals who want to learn more about identifying HWA.

For more information, please visit the Maine Forest Service website: www.maineforestservice.org/HemlockWoollyAdelgid.htm. Or, call or write the Insect and Disease Lab at: (207) 287-2431; 50 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

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