hemlock woolly adelgid

Hemlock woolly adelgid spotted in Leelanau County

Claire Keenan-Kurgan

The invasive insect hemlock woolly adelgid was found in Leelanau County in July, officials confirmed on Thursday. It has been spreading north in Michigan for a few years, after devastating hemlock populations on the East Coast decades ago by attaching itself to the trees and feeding on their sap.

A hemlock branch infested with hemlock woolly adelgid — an aphid-like invasive insect that can kill hemlock trees. The insects spread mainly through vehicles, people, birds and deer. (Photo:

Hemlock woolly adelgid makes its way to Huron-Manistee National Forests

Ellie Katz

Invasive hemlock woolly adelgid has been found in the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Kara Ermatinger and Grant Trukowski comb through branches of a hemlock tree looking for the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. If not detected in time, HWA can kill a tree in four years.

Michigan Environment

Points North: Finding the hemlock killer

Daniel Wanschura

Last month, a bug the size of a fleck of pepper was found in a hemlock tree in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.The invasive bug is called the…

Michigan Environment

Can these hungry beetles save hemlocks from an invader?

Julie Grant

An invasive insect is attacking hemlock trees in Michigan and along the East Coast. The hemlock woolly adelgid is an aphid-like bug, and it can kill...

The hemlock woolly adelgid can be spotted by finding the white waxy substance it produces to protect itself.

Michigan Environment

Why state officials want you to look for this tree-killing insect

Rebecca Williams

State officials want you to check your trees for a tiny insect. It’s called the hemlock woolly adelgid, and it survives by sucking sap from hemlock...