Hemlocks are native to western Virginia and are found on moist, cool slopes, particularly in the mountains. The hemlock wooly adelgid, an aphid-like species that is new to Virginia, feeds on hemlock twigs and is expected to do extensive damage to native populations. Because the adelgid is an introduced species, it has no known natural predators in Virginia. The low, evergreen foliage of hemlocks makes excellent cover for many animals.