A pilot project has employed 3D printed traps to monitor the spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) in Ontario. HWA, a small insect that kills hemlock trees by extracting fluids from twigs, has been detected in Haldimand County but not yet in Brant County.
Neil Dunning, president of the Brant Woodlot Owners Association, is utilizing these traps to check for the presence of HWA. This initiative is part of a collaboration between Natural Resources Canada and the Invasive Species Centre. The traps collect DNA samples from the insects, which are then sent to a lab in Ottawa for analysis.
Forest entomologist Chris MacQuarrie explains that the program has expanded significantly, with around 100 participants submitting samples.
“They volunteered to host the trap on their property, and to be able to get one, they had to tell us whether they have a hemlock they’re responsible for,” said MacQuarrie.
“We’ll send [test slides] to a lab in Ottawa where they can actually extract the DNA from the Vaseline that’s been captured and then see if there was any hemlock woolly adelgid DNA.”
The positive detection of HWA last year prompted an increase in the number of traps deployed. This system is crucial for woodlot owners to detect HWA early, as there is no viable chemical treatment that doesn’t harm other wildlife.
Dunning appreciates the protection these traps offer, as losing the hemlocks would drastically change the landscape of his property. The 3D printed traps provide an effective, non-invasive method for monitoring and managing this invasive species, contributing to the preservation of Ontario’s hemlock forests.
Source: kitchener.ctvnews.ca