The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed a new infestation of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on a private property in Leelanau Township.
The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network identified the infestation, highlighting the importance of public awareness in combating invasive species. In response, Leelanau County has been added to the statewide hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine, which restricts the movement of hemlock materials from affected areas to help slow the spread of this destructive pest.
HWA poses a serious threat to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees, which are crucial for wildlife habitat and dune stabilization. Infested trees can be identified by checking the undersides of branches for small, round, white ovisacs that resemble cotton balls. Residents are urged to report suspected infestations and take precautions to prevent further spread.
For more information on HWA, how to identify it, and how to report infestations, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.