Biological Control Activities for Private Groups and Individuals
Until recently, biological control efforts for HWA were limited to public lands with federal or state oversight. USDA-supported labs produce hundreds of thousands of Sasi beetles per year, but beetles from these labs are not available to private citizens or groups. But our precious hemlock ecosystems are not restricted to national or state parks, and so private labs are needed to provide predator beetles for the rest of our native hemlocks! And one purpose of this site is to encourage and support private supply sources for Sasi predator beetles.
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| Beetle-assisted recovery of a large Carolina hemlock | Eastern hemlock tree hedge recovering from HWA damage | Carolina hemlocks recovering from HWA damage |
How can you contribute to biological control of HWA?
Those who own property in areas with HWA-infested hemlocks have the option of purchasing beetles to establish self-sustaining predator colonies on their own property. Unlike chemicals, Sasi beetles are not restricted to individual trees. They will spread to adjoining trees and areas, establishing protection for an entire area of hemlocks. So do whatever you can to start the process, and the beetles will do the rest. Property owner groups are an option for funding biological control efforts in larger residential areas. And land trusts and other conservation groups are likely partners for wild area preservation efforts.
But even if you don't have hemlocks on your property or in your neighborhood, there are many ways that you can contribute to saving our native hemlocks and hemlock-dependent ecosystems. Think of all the local parks and wild places that have at-risk hemlocks. Think of all the groups that should care about the preservation of hemlock ecosystems: birders, anglers, hikers, kids … And think of the good that could be done if you could encourage just one group in your area to initiate a biological control project!
And what about the local "hemlock saving groups", those who solicit donations for public beetle releases, but then direct private landowners to expensive, short-term chemical treatments for their trees. Think how much more good could be done for the environment (not for the chemical companies), if you encouraged your local group to add long-term biological control to its landowner options!
What can you do?
My purpose is to encourage private individuals and groups to purchase beetles from the predator beetle labs that are producing for private releases. (Disclosure: I have no ownership or other financial ties with any lab!). I know of only one private lab that will be in operation for 2010, - Forever Green ES. But they have a good breeding stock in hand and should have a supply of beetles available for the March – June release season. The minimum order will be 500 beetles, so you may want to talk to neighbors and friends about sharing an order with you. But the supply will be limited, so do get your order in ASAP.
My guide for planning and implementing a low-density beetle release is also available for your use (see paper on low density release methodology). Typically a colony of ~100 beetles should be sufficient to establish biological control over a 1-3 acre residential hemlock area. Releasing more beetles will do no harm, and may speed up the coverage time. But for wild areas, I typically use a strategy of multiple small releases to establish coverage over as large an area as possible.
What will you see you?
The recovery of hemlocks from HWA defoliation can be a slow process. First, the beetles have to build up their numbers in order to bring the adelgids in the area under control (1-2 years). This will allow the hemlocks to begin the slow process of replacing their lost and damaged foliage (3-5 years).
With severely defoliated hemlocks, you won't see instant recovery but you should see new crown foliage growth production in the release area during the first year. (See paper on measuring hemlock crown density.) Those with hemlocks in early stages of HWA infestation (or trees with prior chemical treatment) should see a much more rapid recovery and return to normal hemlock foliage.
After beetle release the adelgids will not disappear, but they will decline in number. New foliage produced at the crowns of beetle-assisted hemlocks will usually be clear of adelgids, but lower branches (1-8') may show patches of adelgids on new growth. Just think of this as "beetle food"! I'm not seeing damage to hemlocks due to these residual HWA infestations. And these are great sites for beetle reproduction.
New hemlock foliage growth has a distinctive golden-green color. So when you see this golden-green “frosting” appearing on severely defoliated, "gray ghost" hemlocks, you will 'get it' in a way that our friends at the Forest Service apparently never have. Just look at the trees to observe how the Sasi beetles are contributing to the health of your hemlocks!
HWA Predator Beetle Sources for 2010
At this time I know of only one lab that will be producing Sasi beetles for use by the private sector in 2010. And that is centrally located (for the eastern hemlock zone) in Pennsylvania. Here is their lab contact and price information:
Forever Green Environmental Services
Jayme Longo (jaymelongohwa@gmail.com)
P.O. Box 270
Scranton, PA 18504
570-941-9752
2010 Sasi/St beetle prices:
500: $1250 + shipping
1000 - 4000: $2250/1000 + shipping
5000 – 9000: $2000/1000 + shipping
10,000+: $1750/1000 + shipping
I greatly appreciate Jayme's efforts. But one lab is not enough! So I encourage others who have entomology lab skills and training to consider getting into beetle production to help the threatened hemlock areas in the eastern US.