NPS Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an insect that feeds on the needles of eastern hemlock trees, taking away their nutrients and causing their decline and mortality. Once attached to the tree, HWA remain in place for the remainder of their life cycle. The feeding causes the needles to fall off, turn grey, and the tree will stop producing new needles. The mortality often occurs between four and ten years. The adelgid have a white wool-like mass that is visible on the hemlock tree from fall until early summer. It prevents their eggs from drying out and protects them. This is HWA has been in Pennsylvania since the 1970s.
NPS Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)The spotted lanternfly (SLF), a fairly new invasive insect of the planthopper family, discovered in eastern Pennsylvania in 2014, is originally from Southeast Asia. As these insects continue to spread to the Mid-Atlantic region and into Virginia, they pose a significant threat to the agricultural sector. They feed on the sap of different plants including maples and grapevines. Host trees for spotted lanternfly include Tree of Heaven, Black Walnut and Red Maple. One egg mass can contain up to seventy eggs. Females can lay 1-2 masses. The spotted lanternflies are spread by transporting items that contain the egg mass. The spotted lanternfly can be identified in their early stages as black with white spots and no wings. As the insect matures they are red with black and white spots. Adult have grey wings and black spots. |
Last updated: April 5, 2024