David Orwig (pictured to the right) presented a PowerPoint to students about the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid before taking them outside to observe these parasites on hemlock trees. This small insect lives inside of what looks like miniscule cotton balls on hemlocks' twigs, and may be responsible for this beautiful tree's demise in a scenario similar to the chestnut blight.
Students then observed the adelgids under microscopes. Even at fewer than 10 degrees Fahrenheit, these insects were active compared to similar parasites. |