Adult Population Survey of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Massachusetts 2003-2005

To effectively document insect presence and abundance a statistically based sampling plan is necessary. No such plan for the hemlock woolly adelgid is currently available in the published literature. Two interrelated sampling strategies allow a researcher to enter a site and determine with a given level of probability whether or not an HWA infestation is present and the level of infestation. A ground based sampling plan is also critical to the ‘ground truthing’ of aerial survey systems. A fully developed sampling plan requires relatively extensive datasets obtained over time, and may include the use of computer-generated data obtained through re-sampling techniques. The results obtained through the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program should provide a firm foundation for further development of an HWA sampling program. Data collection is on-going.