A day in the woods: Sixth graders explore Bent Creek Experimental Forest

Photo Credit

Christian Schroll, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station

The 6th grade students from A.C. Reynolds Middle School observe the insectary, which is built around young hemlock trees in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. The tents confine the biocontrol agents to specific trees and will eventually provide information on the lifecycles and effectiveness of the Laricobius beetles and the silverflies.

About 140 sixth graders from A.C. Reynolds Middle School recently visited Bent Creek Experimental Forest to learn about hemlock ecology, observe wildlife, and spend the day outside. Their teacher, Kate Whittier, organized the event. Bud Mayfield, USDA Forest Service research entomologist, and Andy Whittier, USDA Forest Service cooperator and North Carolina State University employee, spoke about their research, and the communications team led a few activities as well.

“We’re here to learn about the good, the bad, and the bugly,” said Mayfield as the students gathered along the Ledford Trail. Mayfield explained predator-prey dynamics to the students and showed them a vial of the tiny silverflies. Silverflies prey on hemlock woolly adelgids from late winter through early summer and could potentially help control adelgid populations.

“We are standing in an insectary,” said Whittier at the next stop. “We’re raising Laricobius beetles here.” Laricobius beetles eat hemlock woolly adelgids, but only prey on them during winter and early spring. However, as part of an integrated pest management strategy, the beetles can help protect hemlock trees. Whittier and Mayfield were part of the team that planted the hemlocks in the insectary in 2013.  

Photo Credit

Christian Schroll, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station

Bud Mayfield, SRS research entomologist, stands in front of the insectary on Bent Creek Experimental Forest and speaks to students about raising silverflies to help control hemlock woolly adelgids. 

The insectary is also a research site. Some of the young hemlock trees are growing underneath circus-like tents that Mayfield and partners from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services installed in fall of 2022. The tents confine the biocontrol agents to specific trees and will eventually provide information on the life cycles and effectiveness of the Laricobius beetles and the silverflies.

As well as learning about the research, students spent time by Lake Powhatan and wrote in their nature journals. Leandra Taylor, of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, took the students on a hike around the lake. “My goal is to help people learn about science by experiencing nature,” said Taylor, who encouraged students to observe their surroundings with all their senses.

After the event, the students reflected on the trip and shared their thoughts. “I learned that you can be relaxed by nature,” said one of the students. Many of them commented on the hemlock trees, the bugs that eat bugs, and how much they enjoyed their day in the forest. 

“Introducing students to real-world problems and solutions, and providing hands-on experiences with organizations in the community is such a valuable learning opportunity,” said Kate Whittier, who organized the event as part of her work with the STEMwork Professional Learning Institute through the Kenan Fellows Program. 

For more information, email Bud Mayfield at [email protected] or Andy Whittier at [email protected].