The discovery of an invasive species known as the balsam woolly adelgid (BWA) in western Michigan has piqued the interest of Christmas tree producers on the Canadian sides of the border in Windsor, Ontario. The tiny sap-sucking insect prefers fir trees and poses a major danger to the Christmas tree industry.
Mike Philip, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, says the state department confirmed the discovery on August 16th and is now investigating further, noting that Michigan is the third largest tree grower in the United States. The bug, according to Mike Philip, has the potential to be quite devastating, but it is not there yet.
The balsam woolly adelgid has been on the invasive species watch list for 20 years, according to Shirley Brennan, the Executive Director of the Ontario Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario, who remains hopeful and optimistic that this invasive species will not reach Canada.