Dr. Bud Mayfield giving a field talk to NC land managers at our predator beetle insectary site.
Recently, at Bent Creek Experimental Forest, U.S. Forest Service Scientist Dr. Bud Mayfield gave a talk on hemlock conservation as part of a workshop for North Carolina land managers. One of the novel ideas being pursued by the Forest Service is the establishment of a predator beetle insectary. The hemlock wooly adelgid is wreaking havoc throughout most of the range of hemlock. Predator beetles, especially Laricobius spp., have shown potential to curb adelgid infestation rates increasing the lifespan of hemlock trees. One of the limiting factors in using predator beetles has been their availability. Dr. Mayfield and his research work unit will plant hemlock trees, actually help them get infested with adelgid, and cultivate predator beetles to be distributed to high priority hemlock stands.
The hemlock insectary recently had an herbicide application and pin flags installed to aid in the planting effort.
Copperheads are venomous snakes. Be careful when walking in any wooded area.
There are other predators in our hemlock insectary site. This is a copperhead we found while assessing our herbicide application.
