First report of Adelges abietis (Linneaus) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in Idaho

The eastern spruce gall adelgid, Adelges abietis (Linneaus 1758) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) is an invasive pest of spruce trees, Picea (Pinaceae), that was introduced to North America from Europe prior to the 20th century (Drooz 1985). The preferred host of A. abietis is Norway spruce, P. abies (Linneaus) H. Karst, but the insect also infests white (P. glauca (Moench) Voss), red (P. rubens Sargent) and blue spruces (P. pungens Engelmann). The adelgid is established in eastern North America (southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States down to Tennessee), the Great Lakes region (Drooz 1985), four western states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska) (http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/tools/afpe/maps/ESGA.pdf, accessed 25 October 2012) and three western provinces (British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon) (http://www.exoticpests.gc.ca/static/images/maps/Adelges_abietis_eng. gif, accessed 19 June 2012). There is anecdotal evidence of the adelgid from Washington State, however the above-referenced USDA-Forest Service resource does not list the insect occurring in the state of Washington. The established populations of A. abietis that are closest to Idaho occur in western Montana (Lincoln County) and southern British Columbia. This report represents a new state record of A. abietis in Idaho and documents occurrence of the species in the state of Washington by including information for specimens collected in the eastern portion of the state.