Efficacy of Aborjet Viper Microinjections in the Management of Hemlock Woolly Adelgids with Arborjet    (View PDF)

Joseph J. Doccola, Peter M. Wild, Ilangovan Ramasamy, Paulina Castillo, and Christine Taylor

Abstract: Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) is an introduced homopteran that infests native eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis Carriere). It results in reduced tree vitality and, when untreated, death. A state-of-the-art microinjection device employing an air-over-hydraulic system was used to deliver a therapeutic dosage of imidacloprid into the active xylem tissues of affected hemlocks. Bioassays were conducted microscopically to determine HWA mortality post-treatment. Injected trees had significantly (p < 0.05) lower HWA populations compared to untreated controls; mean mortality for injected trees was over twice that of noninjected trees. The Arborjet VIPER system shows promise as a management tool in the treatment of HWA.

Keywords: Adelges tsugae; Homoptera; Tsuga spp.; Arborjet VIPER; imidacloprid.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2003.040