Courtesy USDA/ Michael Smith
The USDA is work to carry off Asiatic longhorned mallet that are infest and kill hardwood trees in the Northeast and the Midwest .
The USDA ’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service needs help detecting and preventing the spread of the Asiatic longhorned beetle ( Anoplophora glabripennis ) , a serious plague of hardwood trees .
Federal , state and local partners are working to exterminate fighting Asian longhorned beetle infestations in portions of Massachusetts , New York and New Jersey . Infestations have been eradicated in Illinois and Hudson County , N.J.
While the Asiatic longhorned beetle does not pose a risk to human wellness , it is extremely dangerous to hardwood trees . The Asiatic longhorned beetle has killed healthy maple , ash , birch , elm , European mountain ash tree , hackberry , horse chestnut tree , katsura , London plane , mimosa , poplar and willow trees . To particular date , the beetle has caused the destruction of more than 69,000 hardwood trees in the United States .
“ July is the time of year when grownup beetle are come forth from a winter spent growing and break deep inside the hardwood Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree they ’ve infested , and they are easy to see if you know what to look for , ” said Christine Markham , national director of the Asiatic longhorned beetle cooperative obliteration program . “ It is important that occupier familiarize themselves with the foretoken of an [ Asian longhorned mallet ] infestation and monitor their hardwood trees and hem in domain for this destructive pest . ”
Identifying the ALB
The Asian longhorned beetle is close to 1 to 1½ inches long , is shiny disastrous with random blank spots and has six legs . Its antennae , which are longer than the dirt ball ’s soundbox , are banded shameful and white . Its feet are black and sometimes appear with a bluish tint . full-grown beetles typically first seem during the calendar month of July and will persist in to be present throughout the summer and into the early decline month . The Asian longhorned beetle can be obtain anywhere , including on tree diagram , bench , car , patios and out-of-door article of furniture , sides of houses , and pavement .
Prevent ALB Spread From Firewood
The beetle can also be ground and unknowingly delight in firewood . Cutting a tree into firewood will not kill the Asiatic longhorned beetles develop inside it , and adult beetle can still come forth from the Sir Henry Wood , thereby spreading an infestation to new areas . Firewood from order areas must be used within the regulated area .
If you see signs of Asian longhorned beetle infestation on your firewood , please call the USDA or your state department of agribusiness right away . Infested firewood also presents a very real threat to the nation ’s forests , not only from the Asiatic longhorned mallet , but from other invasive species , such as the emerald ash borer . APHIS is asking residents not to move firewood and to purchase firewood locally from the area where it will be burned .
If You Detect an ALB Infestation
If you see the Asiatic longhorned beetle or other mansion of an plague , or if you have questions about Asiatic longhorned mallet ascendency and eradication efforts , please call your local genus Aphis state plant wellness director , your res publica department of agriculture or the Asian longhorned beetle cooperative eradication political platform in your state .
If you witness an Asian longhorned beetle , you’re able to help to stop the spread by capturing it , placing the insect in a shock and stop dead it — this will preserve the dirt ball for identification . Early espial of Asiatic longhorned beetle infestations is very important because it can limit an infested area and the number of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree demolish .
More data about the ALB can be set up on theAPHIS websiteby chatter on “ Asian Longhorned Beetle ” under the “ Hot Issues ” gallery . You may also logon toBeetleBusters.info .
