USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is asking for the public's help in detecting and preventing the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB).
Federal, state and local partners are currently working to eradicate active ALB infestations in portions of Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. ALB was detected in Ohio this month and surveys are currently being conducted to determine the size and scope of the infestation. Eradication has been declared from infestations in Illinois and Hudson County, N.J. ALB is known to attack and kill healthy maple trees, as well as ash, birch, elm, European mountain ash, golden rain, hackberry, horse chestnut, katsura, London plane tree, mimosa, poplar and willow. To date, the beetle has caused the destruction of more than 72,000 hardwood trees in the United States alone.
"July is when we start to see adult beetles emerge after a winter spent growing and developing deep inside the tree they've infested, and they are easy to see if you know what to look for," said Rebecca Bech, deputy administrator for APHIS' plant protection and quarantine program. "It is important to familiarize yourself with the signs of an ALB infestation and monitor your own trees and trees in your community for this destructive pest."
If you see the ALB, or other signs of an ALB infestation, or if you have questions about control and eradication efforts, please call your local APHIS state plant health director, your state department of agriculture or the ALB cooperative eradication program in your state. For residents in New England, to reach the ALB cooperative eradication program in Massachusetts, call (866) 702-9938. For the ALB cooperative eradication program in New York, call (866) 265-0301 or 877-STOP-ALB. For the ALB cooperative eradication program in New Jersey, call 1-866-233-8531 or 866-BEETLE1. For Ohio residents, call (855) 252-6450.
If you find an ALB, you can help to stop the spread by capturing it, placing the insect in a jar and freezing it. This will preserve the insect for identification. Early detection of ALB infestations is very important because it can limit an infested area and the number of trees destroyed. More information about the ALB can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov and click on "Asian Longhorned Beetle" under the "Hot Issues" heading. You may also log on to www.beetlebusters.info.