Nova Scotia

A Nova Scotia project is raising an insect army to protect hemlocks

Nova Scotia’s hemlock forests are under siege by a tiny but destructive insect known as the hemlock woolly adelgid. First spotted in the province in 2017, these invasive pests are rapidly spreading through the trees, leaving behind a trail of ghostly, dead hemlocks in their wake.

Researchers at Acadia University are at the forefront of the fight against the hemlock woolly adelgid. Led by biology professor Kirk Hillier, the team is conducting a research project to assess the effects of insecticidal treatments on the adelgid population. They are also establishing a biological control facility to keep the adelgid in check.

The urgency of the situation is clear to Hillier, who has witnessed the devastation caused by the adelgid firsthand. Dead hemlocks, known as “grey ghosts,” dot the landscape, highlighting the significant threat posed by these tiny insects.

One of the main challenges in combating the adelgid is the cost and time required to apply insecticides to the trees. Despite efforts to treat affected areas, only a fraction of the hemlocks in Nova Scotia have received chemical controls. To address this issue, the research project is testing funnel-shaped traps to detect the presence of the adelgid at low levels using molecular tools.

By detecting the presence of the adelgid early, researchers hope to slow the spread of the infestation and protect hemlocks from further damage. The ultimate goal is to develop a biocontrol facility that can release natural predators of the adelgid, such as Laricobius nigrinus, a beetle that preys on the invasive insect.

The facility will also house a secondary predator, the silver fly, which works in tandem with the beetles to control the adelgid population. By raising these predators in the lab and releasing them into the wild, researchers aim to manage the adelgid infestation without the need for insecticides.

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In the long term, the team at Acadia University hopes to release tens of thousands of predators each year to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid and save Nova Scotia’s hemlock forests from further devastation. Through innovative research and a commitment to conservation, they are working tirelessly to protect these iconic trees from the threat of invasive pests. Acadia University is set to be the site of groundbreaking research aimed at combatting the spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that poses a serious threat to hemlock trees in Nova Scotia and beyond. The biocontrol facility being established at Acadia will play a crucial role in providing predators to help control the spread of the adelgid, not just in Nova Scotia, but in other provinces as well.

Forest ecologist Donna Crossland, who has been involved in efforts to protect hemlocks from the adelgid since 2017, emphasized the importance of implementing both short-term and long-term measures to address the issue. While initially resistant to the idea of using insecticides, Crossland acknowledges the necessity of such measures until biocontrol methods can be fully implemented.

The introduction of a biocontrol facility is a significant step in the right direction, but concerns remain about long-term funding for the program. Government support and funding are essential to ensure the continued success of biocontrol efforts and the preservation of hemlock trees that have been a part of Nova Scotia’s landscape for thousands of years.

Kirk Hillier, who is actively involved in raising public awareness about the threat posed by the hemlock woolly adelgid, stresses the urgency of finding effective ways to control the invasive insect. The clock is ticking, and every day that passes without a fully funded biocontrol program means more hemlock trees are at risk of being lost.

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As the research and conservation efforts continue at Acadia, it is clear that the fight against the hemlock woolly adelgid is a critical one. With the establishment of the biocontrol facility and ongoing support from government and the public, there is hope for the preservation of hemlock trees in Nova Scotia and beyond. the perspective of a healthcare worker discussing the importance of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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