Behavioral Habits of the Predator Beetle [Poster]

Abstract

In the 1950’s, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect, was introduced to the Eastern United States. Since then, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has devastated acres of Eastern and Carolina hemlock forests. In efforts to control this pest, predator beetles, that are host specific to HWA, have been reared and released. The research that is being conducted is a choice test of two of these beetles, Sasajiscymnus tsugae and Laricobius nigrinus, to see if they are attracted to HWA infested branches and, furthermore, to determine if there is a preferential life stage. Preliminary results suggest that HWA eggs are preferred over adults alone. [Poster]