Woolly Adelgid

The woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) is a tiny insect from East Asia that feeds on the sap of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriére). It is a serious pest, and woolly adelgid infestations have been reported from 25 counties in New York. The insect can be identified by its egg sacs which resemble tufts of cotton (shown above). The woolly adelgid will eventually kill the host tree. Go here for a map showing how the woolly adelgid is slowly spreading throughout New York. Gulp. [NOTE: Image from Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Tarrytown, NY (see Sleepy Hollow Cemetery). Beautiful grove of hemlocks here, but the woolly adelgid has clearly arrived].