The Saint

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Special to The Saint

Hemlock trees in North Georgia and the Carolinas are being destroyed by an invasive insect known as the hemlock woolly adelgid(HWA).

In order to stop the spread of the HWA, NGCSU, in coordination with Young Harris and UGA, has established a predator beetle lab.

Within the lab, beetles of the species Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St) and Scymnus sinuanodulus (Ss) have been mass reared to be released into 25 hemlock conservation areas throughout northern Georgia. The only prey these beetles have are HWAs.

Since the establishment of the lab in 2007, more than 122,766 St beetles have been released. This year, there will be an additional 80,000 St beetles, along with the establishment of a colony of Ss beetles.

The NGCSU Predator Beetle Lab is located at 108 Sunset Drive (across from HNS), and will be holding an open house and fundraiser event on Friday, Feb. 26 from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members are all invited to see what it takes to mass rear these beetles, learn more about the threat to the hemlocks, and get a T-shirt (minimum $20 donation).

Parking is available behind Student Health Services.

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