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 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 a 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
After our time in the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center, we go out in the field to visit Grandfather Golf & Country Club where we meet award-winning superintendent Pete Gerdon, who has collaborated with Dr. McDonald to introduce the predator beetles to stop the adelgid hemlock problem they were having. Now, the ecosystem there is a stellar example of how restoration and recovery can occur when nature is helped get back in balance.
In part 3, we head right outside the doors of the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center to learn the ‘beat’ technique used by ‘Dr. McBug’ to find the introduced predator beetles, larvae and more, thriving on the hemlock trees.
IOW on every farm and at regular intervals on larger farms making space for 'Nature Forts' where the natural predators can provide themselves a secure base ready for any pest feeding opportunities is a no-brainer.