Georgia Invasive Species Task Force

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

James K. Johnson, Coordinator, Georgia Forestry Commission, Forest Health Accomplishment Report 2004

A survey for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was also initiated this year. We funded one position (Jim Sullivan), and utilized one of our Gypsy Moth Trappers (Julia Sennette who only had one county to trap) to perform this work.

Sites surveyed
Spring 2003(February-April) - 164
2003-2004 season (Dec.-Sept.) - 623
Total survey sites - 787

Level of infestation/number of sites*:
None - 560
Very Light - 29
Light - 105
Moderate - 32
Heavy - 61

* These results include 84 sites that were surveyed in spring 2003 and 703 sites that were surveyed in the 2003-2004 season.

Counties

Ten counties were included in the survey area, covering about 2000 square miles: Rabun, Towns, Habersham, White, Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Dawson (partial) and Lumpkin (partial). HWA was found to be present in Rabun, Towns, Habersham, White and Union counties. Severe infestations are occurring in the Burrells Ford area.

HWA has spread west and south into Georgia. We found no HWA west of the Nottley River headwaters. In White County, HWA was found as far south as Dukes Creek in the Chattahoochee watershed. The heaviest infestations are in the Chattooga, Little Tennessee, Tallulah and Hiawassee watersheds and in the headwaters of Brasstown Creek (Union, Towns). Other watersheds with lighter infestations are the Soque, Chattahoochee, and Nottley.

2004 Predator Beetle Releases in Georgia

GFC employees identified appropriate sites for the release of biological control agents in the Chattooga River watershed. There were 14 releases in Georgia, 13 of Pseudoscymus tsugae and one of Scymnus sinvanodulus. Six of the releases were in conjunction with a study by Chris Asaro, University of Georgia. The Scymnus sinvanodulus release was in conjunction with Dr. Montgomery, USFS Northeast Forest Experiment Station.

Areas recommended for 2005 predator release in Georgia.

• Chattooga watershed in Holcomb Creek and downstream of Burrells Ford on the main stem
• Tallulah River watershed in the headwaters above Lake Burton
• Hiawassee River headwaters in the Swallow Creek drainage, Mill Creek, Corbin Creek and High Shoals Creek
• Headwaters of Brasstown Creek in Brasstown Wilderness. This area is said to have a significant old growth hemlock stand on the left prong of Brasstown Creek (Jim did not get a chance to visit this remote stand, but will get to it this fall.)

Education/Outreach

During the 2003-2004 season, Jim meet with numerous interested agencies and organizations, introducing them to the HWA situation in Georgia and instructing them on the identification of HWA and reporting procedures. He was often able to meet with whole teams of agency people by getting on the agendas of regional or district meetings. This turned out to be very useful. He also received many reports of HWA infestations from USFS, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia State Park and Georgia DNR personnel as well as members of several organizations.

Agency contacts

USFS, Tallulah RD staff, Feb.
USFS, Chattooga RD staff, March
USFS, Brasstown RD staff, March
GA State Park Managers, Northern District meeting, March
GA County Extension Agents Meeting, April
USFS/GA Forestry Commission coop meeting, May?
GA Forestry Commission staff tour of HWA sites, July

Organization presentations

Chattooga Conservancy, volunteer training, Jan.
Northeast Georgia Hiking Club, Feb.
Soque River Watershed Association, Feb.
Georgia ForestWatch, Nov 2003 and ongoing volunteer train and tours
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, headwaters field trip to visit HWA sites.