tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post5129034900736677325..comments2023-12-13T02:38:38.555-06:00Comments on Weedpicker's Journal:: The "Polka Dot Forest"Weedpicker Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529273252200443042noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post-74892720508064339642012-07-13T11:52:38.489-05:002012-07-13T11:52:38.489-05:00Thank you for the comments. I have questioned in ...Thank you for the comments. I have questioned in my mind the long-term complications of systemic insecticides, and possible impacts to the food web. <br /><br />In fact, is it bad for the beetles to be feeding on "poisoned" adelgids? It is of great interest to us in Ohio.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments, and keep us posted. CherylWeedpicker Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529273252200443042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post-51413869050957520002012-07-13T11:21:17.866-05:002012-07-13T11:21:17.866-05:00There are concerns that we could possibly be savin...There are concerns that we could possibly be saving the hemlocks while killing the forests. Because of this, we know we can't keep this up forever. We have keep the hemlocks alive long enough for another hopeful method of control; Laricobius nigrinus. In previous years, we have released this beetle and other biocontrols without much success in establishing populations. But, we got some really great advice from an entomologist and are going to release more again. Our hopes are high that we will be successful in the next couple years!!vcnxcnrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08894334352849084942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post-60134544735675704622012-07-03T05:34:49.722-05:002012-07-03T05:34:49.722-05:00The good news, they have been doing this study for...The good news, they have been doing this study for a good number of years, which means they have kept the hemlocks alive. The bad news- and I hate to think to hard on this- could be the future impact of adding systemic pesticides to our environment. If the tree tissue is filled with chemicals to kill adelgids, what of the other insects? How long does the chemical remain, and will it impact the wood boring beetles who normally inhabit decaying wood? They are an important part of the food chain.<br /><br />It is a terrible, complicated issue (one I over-simplified) and one we may not even need to address if the hemlock all die from climate change. <br /><br />This is just one more reason to protect the forest ecosystems our forefathers set aside for our enjoyment. They are also our best "hedge" against global warming. CherylWeedpicker Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529273252200443042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post-57360433988490476472012-07-03T02:51:15.491-05:002012-07-03T02:51:15.491-05:00Great post! I was just talking to a friend about ...Great post! I was just talking to a friend about hemlocks, the wooley adelgid and the beetles that eat them. Now I have a nice link to send along! :)Vickyhttp://tgaw.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775407527468125772.post-91209122414232301122012-07-02T17:04:20.426-05:002012-07-02T17:04:20.426-05:00Thanks for this report! It gives me a little hope ...Thanks for this report! It gives me a little hope for the hemlocks.Jan Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13055088935429792940noreply@blogger.com