Frequently ASked Questions
What Does HWA Stand For?
Common name: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)
Hemlock (Eastern or Carolina) is the host tree,
Woolly refers to its characteristic egg masses, and
Adelgid is a True Bug (piercing/sucking insect).
Scientific name: Adelges tsugae
Hemlock (Eastern or Carolina) is the host tree,
Woolly refers to its characteristic egg masses, and
Adelgid is a True Bug (piercing/sucking insect).
Scientific name: Adelges tsugae
What is this beetle's Name?
No Common name
Scientific name: Sasajiscymnus tsugae
(abbreviated: St or S.tsugae)
Renamed from Pseudoscymnus tsugae
Scientific name: Sasajiscymnus tsugae
(abbreviated: St or S.tsugae)
Renamed from Pseudoscymnus tsugae
Are Beetles More Expensive than Pesticides?
Not necessarily!
The cost of any treatment depends on your unique situation and goals.
With ST beetles, you won't need to treat every tree to achieve success.
A well-established St beetle population provides long-term control whereas
pesticides will need to be applied annually or bi-annually for the life of the tree(s).
The cost of any treatment depends on your unique situation and goals.
With ST beetles, you won't need to treat every tree to achieve success.
A well-established St beetle population provides long-term control whereas
pesticides will need to be applied annually or bi-annually for the life of the tree(s).
Can I use both Beetles & Pesticides?
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an effective but very sensitive process.
Please seek our expert advice before ever combining approaches of bio control and insecticide.
Please seek our expert advice before ever combining approaches of bio control and insecticide.
How many Beetles do I need?
We'll help determine your unique application rate based on 3 criteria:
1. HWA: How much "food" is visible on target tree(s)
2. CONDITION: Level of damage to target tree(s)
3. SIZE: The size/age class of target tree(s)
1. HWA: How much "food" is visible on target tree(s)
2. CONDITION: Level of damage to target tree(s)
3. SIZE: The size/age class of target tree(s)
Can I divide my colonies?
No! Colonies are most effective when left together because beetles reproduce sexually.
Our staff may package 1/2 colonies upon request for hedges or saplings.
Our staff may package 1/2 colonies upon request for hedges or saplings.
Will I need a Ladder?
No! Beetles can FLY!
Secure material to the trunk of your target tree, another tree, or a man-made structure.
You can be strategic but they will ultimately seek the most convenient food source to begin feeding and reproduction.
Secure material to the trunk of your target tree, another tree, or a man-made structure.
You can be strategic but they will ultimately seek the most convenient food source to begin feeding and reproduction.
Will My Beetles Leave?
SOME beetles will leave but NOT ALL.
Beetles should become established and once their numbers reach equilibrium with the pest,
adult beetles can fly and forage elsewhere to avoid competition.
Eggs, larvae, and pupae must remain on the parent tree until they reach adulthood.
Beetles should become established and once their numbers reach equilibrium with the pest,
adult beetles can fly and forage elsewhere to avoid competition.
Eggs, larvae, and pupae must remain on the parent tree until they reach adulthood.
Will St beetles become a pest?
No! S.tsugae is a host-specific species.
They require woolly adelgid for sustenance and reproduction.
They carry out their entire life cycle on host trees and
have shown "no negative impact" on the environment since their introduction in 1985.
They require woolly adelgid for sustenance and reproduction.
They carry out their entire life cycle on host trees and
have shown "no negative impact" on the environment since their introduction in 1985.
WILL ST Beetles Survive the Winter?
Yes! S.tsugae can withstand temperatures deadly to HWA by hiding in bark crevices, leaf litter etc.
Of course, if their food source is eradicated, beetles must relocate and stress may cost some beetle lives.
But it's highly unlikely that ALL HWA or ALL S.tsugae will be destroyed by weather.
Of course, if their food source is eradicated, beetles must relocate and stress may cost some beetle lives.
But it's highly unlikely that ALL HWA or ALL S.tsugae will be destroyed by weather.
When Should I check Trees for HWA?
The only "visible" portion of HWA is the woolly egg sac formed by active nymphs.
This wool begins spinning in early winter when when temperatures approach freezing.
Wool weathers away once eggs hatch. HWA becomes invisible late summer through early winter.
This wool begins spinning in early winter when when temperatures approach freezing.
Wool weathers away once eggs hatch. HWA becomes invisible late summer through early winter.
When Should I release ST Beetles?
Adult ST Beetles are most effective when released in springtime,
however our supply is limited and we run out of ST beetles every single year!
Place your order in January to ensure availability of ST beetles for the following spring.
however our supply is limited and we run out of ST beetles every single year!
Place your order in January to ensure availability of ST beetles for the following spring.