LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two Michigan departments are teaming up to encourage residents who have eastern hemlock trees on their property to inspect the trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid during the winter months.

In addition, officials with the departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said anyone heading to the woods can help by looking for signs of this invasive insect while hunting, hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities.

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“Cooler temperatures trigger feeding activity,” said Robert Miller, MDARD’s invasive species prevention and response specialist. “As hemlock woolly adelgid feeds, it secretes a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. The presence of these small, round, white masses makes it possible to identify infested trees.”

These insects are considered invasive because they aren’t native to Michigan and can cause significant harm to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees. Infestations have been confirmed in Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties.

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