Terrestrial Salamander and Ant Community Responses to Imidacloprid Application in Central Appalachian Eastern Hemlock Forests
Paul LE. 2021. Terrestrial Salamander and Ant Community Responses to Imidacloprid Application in Central Appalachian Eastern Hemlock Forests. West Virginia Univeristy
Imidacloprid is the most widely used insecticide in the world and has been found to impact non-target taxa in systems in which it is applied. It is used as the primary treatment method in the protection of eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) from impacts of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA; Adelges tsugae), an invasive insect in the U.S. that is causing widespread mortality of hemlock trees. In this study, we investigated whether imidacloprid applied in eastern hemlock forests is impacting woodland salamander and ant communities.