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You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Michael Montgomery
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Michael Montgomery Michael Montgomery

Title: Scientist, Emeritus
Unit: Ecology and Management of Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems
Address: NRS
51 Mill Pond Road
Hamden, CT 06514
Phone: 203-230-4331
E-mail: Contact Michael Montgomery

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Education

  • Cornell University, PhD, Entomology (1974)
  • Earlham College, BA, Biology (1967)

Civic & Professional Affiliations

  • Entomological Society of America
  • Connecticut Entomological Society
  • International Society for Biological Control
  • Sigma Xi
  • Inland Wetland Commission, Town of Hamden
  • Mill River Watershed Association

Current Research

I am conducting research on an invasive insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae. This research is focused on developing biological controls and host resistance to the adelgid, which is native to Asia. I spend part of each year in China and Japan searching for its natural enemies and import those which seem most promising for biological control to the Forest Service?s Quarantine Laboratory located in Ansonia, CT. Several species of lady beetles have been imported, evaluated for desirable biological traits and risk to non-targets. Two of the lady beetles are being mass reared, released in the field and monitored for efficacy. Research to develop host plant resistance to the adelgid is examining the world?s hemlock species to identify tree genetics and chemistry associated with resistance. Currently, in cooperation with the National Arboretum, hybrids between Chinese hemlock and native Carolina hemlock are being developed for both resistance to the adelgid and desirable growth characteristics.

Why is This Important

The hemlock woolly adelgid is a serious threat to the two hemlock species in the eastern United States, Tsuga canadensis and T. caroliniana. Because these hemlocks are long-lived and have dense plant canopies, they provide a unique habitat and have a role in eastern forests which cannot be duplicated by other tree species. Without co-evolved resistance or natural enemies, the adelgid quickly attains high densities which cause a slow decline in hemlock health and eventual tree death. This research will establish the natural balance between the insect that will maintain it below damaging thresholds

Future Research

This research to establish natural controls of an accidentally, introduced pest insect will continue. This is a difficult task which requires cooperation with researchers overseas. Recent advances in communication technology and GIS provide increased opportunities that were not available a few years ago. Hopefully, I will be able to utilize this increased capacity to share knowledge globally to prevent potential and reduce the threats of other nonnative insects to our forests.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications

Last Modified: 02/15/2012