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Jessica Schwartz
August Declared “Tree Check Month” For Asian Longhorned Beetle
August is the most critical time of year to spot the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) as adult activity peaks. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared August as “Tree Check Month” for this invasive pest. USDA and its partners are working to eradicate the tree-killing beetle in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. However, landscaperes in all states should keep an eye out for any new incursions. “We’re asking for the public’s help to find Asian longhorned beetle and any tree damage it causes, because the sooner we know where the insect is, the sooner we can stop its spread,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ National Operations Manager for the ALB Eradication Program. “Just last year, a homeowner in South Carolina reported finding a beetle in their backyard, which led us to discover an active infestation in the state where we didn’t know the beetle was.” As many landscapers know, ALB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees in North America, such as maples, elms, buckeyes, birches, and willows. Infested trees do not recover and eventually die. Infested trees also become safety hazards since branches can drop and trees can fall over, especially during storms. In its larval stage, the insect feeds inside tree trunks and branches, creating tunnels as it feeds, then adults chew their way out in the warmer months, leaving about 3/4″ round exit holes. The adult beetle has distinctive markings that are easy to recognize: A shiny ...
August Declared “Tree Check Month” For Asian Longhorned Beetle
August is the most critical time of year to spot the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) as adult activity peaks. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared August as “Tree Check Month” for this invasive pest. USDA and its partners are working to eradicate the tree-killing beetle in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. However, landscaperes in all states should keep an eye out for any new incursions. “We’re asking for the public’s help to find Asian longhorned beetle and any tree damage it causes, because the sooner we know where the insect is, the sooner we can stop its spread,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ National Operations Manager for the ALB Eradication Program. “Just last year, a homeowner in South Carolina reported finding a beetle in their backyard, which led us to discover an active infestation in the state where we didn’t know the beetle was.” As many landscapers know, ALB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees in North America, such as maples, elms, buckeyes, birches, and willows. Infested trees do not recover and eventually die. Infested trees also become safety hazards since branches can drop and trees can fall over, especially during storms. In its larval stage, the insect feeds inside tree trunks and branches, creating tunnels as it feeds, then adults chew their way out in the warmer months, leaving about 3/4″ round exit holes. The adult beetle has distinctive markings that are easy to recognize: A shiny ...
