Fitness and Physiology of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae, in Relation to the Health of the Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis

摘要: The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Adelgidae) is a small invasive insect that frequently causes (Tsugae spp.) mortality in the eastern United States. Studies have shown once healthy hemlocks become infested by adelgid, nutrients are depleted from tree, leading to both tree decline and reduction of population. Since A. dependent on for nutrients, feeding trees poor health may affect insect’s ability obtain necessary consequently their population physiological health. A cluster analysis, based quantitative qualitative measurements, grouped sample into categories lightly moderately impacted trees. each was determined measuring density, survival aestivation, peak fecundity. similarly biomass, total carbon, carbohydrate, nitrogen, amino nitrogen. exhibited significantly greater fecundity; however, contained levels carbohydrates, All parameters increased over time as insects matured reproduced regardless classification. While results analysis generally support our hypothesis healthier than those trees, this not reflected fitness measurements insects. Further examination egg elucidate apparent contradiction.