Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Monday, July 9, 2007

Montpelier, Vt – The hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like insect that can kill hemlock trees, has been found on four residential properties in the Brattleboro area. An arborist reported the possible infestation to the agencies of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Natural Resources.

According to Jon Turmel, state entomologist with the Agency of Agriculture, surveying on Friday indicated that the infestation is confined to four properties at this time. One additional property in Rockingham, VT, also in Windham County, had a confirmed infestation of hemlock woolly adelgid a few weeks ago for a total of five in the state. The tree infected in Rockingham, VT was cut and burned to eradicate that site of the insect. This insect may have survived in Vermont last winter because of mild temperatures. At this time, it is not suspected that nursery stock in the state has been infested.

“We suspect that birds are spreading the pest,” said Turmel. “All five properties had bird feeders and bird baths.”

The hemlock woolly adelgid is an exotic pest discovered in this country in the 1950s. “The hemlock woolly adelgid has been spreading slowly through the Eastern United States,” said Scott Pfister with the Agency of Natural Resources.

“We have been watching this pest for several years and anticipated that it might infest hemlock trees in Vermont,” said Turmel. “The Agency of Agriculture will continue to work collaboratively with the Agency of Natural Resources to identify infestations and do what we can to control and eradicate it.”

Control methods are limited and once infested, a tree can die within a few years. The adelgid lives on the underside of the hemlock twigs and protects itself with a woolly, white mass.

If you have hemlock trees and a bird bath or bird feeder, you are urged to check for hemlock woolly adelgid. If you suspect you might have an infested tree, please contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at 802-241-3545 or the Agency of Natural Resource’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation at 802-885-8855. For more information: http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/hwa/