Learn about the successful introduction of Laricobius nigrinus–the hemlock woolly adelgid predator beetle in Western North Carolina–and its role as a biological control for HWA (hemlock woolly adelgid).
Landowners, landscapers, farmers, forest stewards, gardeners and naturalists, join us for this exciting event culminating years of work and research by Dr. McBug (entomologist Dr. Richard McDonald) and his team working on the introduction and propagation of the Laricobius nigrinus predator beetle and its role in protecting our hemlocks.
Dr. McBug and agents from Watauga, Ashe, and Avery County Cooperative Extension presented their findings and recommendations at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, for a hands-on and classroom workshop including:
– Introductions & overview of HWA (hemlock woolly adelgid)/past conditions/history lessons, HWA in the landscape (Dr. Richard McDonald)
– “Meet the beetles Outdoors” How to sample for beetles ‘show and tell’.
Beetle biology, life cycle, prevalence in the landscape, role in HWA control. (Dr. Richard McDonald)
– “Meet the beetles Indoors” Using microscope & UV light to check for presence (Dr. Richard McDonald)
– Laricobius survey results from Watauga County (Blake Williams, Ashe County Cooperative Extension)
– Treatment options: Biological vs. Chemical (Lear Powell, Arborist; Jerry Moody, Avery County Cooperative Extension; Dr. Jim Hamilton, Watauga County Cooperative Extension)
– Considerations for hemlocks with adelgid and dealing with elongate hemlock scale (Lear Powell, Arborist; Jerry Moody, Avery County Cooperative Extension; Dr. Jim Hamilton, Watauga County Cooperative Extension)
– Q&A session
In part 1 of this edited live stream augmented with additional footage not seen in the original event, we begin with Jim Hamilton, the Watauga County Extension Director, giving an overview of the day and introducing Dr. Richard McDonald, fondly known for his entomological expertise as ‘Dr. McBug’.
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing! Do you have the video of the walk around that you all did on this day too?
Greeting from Taiwan. Just need to have more and more beetles here on the farm.