Asian Longhorned Beetles
The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a destructive beetle introduced from Asia, probably in wood packing material. Adults are usually 1 to 1½ inches long, shiny black with random white spots, 6 legs and long, jointed antennae with white bands. They are most active in mid-summer to fall.
Damage
Larva tunnel into trees, cutting off movement of water and nutrients, usually killing the tree. Early signs of infestation include yellowing or dropping leaves, oozing sap, dime-size exit holes in trunk and limbs, shallow scars under the bark, sawdust material where branches meet other branches or at the base of the tree and dead limbs. Common trees attacked include birch, goldenrain tree, willow, horse chestnut, elm, katsura tree and especially maples.
Be on the lookout for damaged trees and Beetles, especially in mid- to late summer. Report suspicious findings to the USDA at www.Asianlonghornedbeetle.com.
Location
The Asian Longhorned Beetle is found in select areas of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, including Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Ohio. (As of November 2016)
Similar or Related Pests
Cultural Solutions
In quarantined or regulated areas, the USDA recommends:
- Do not move firewood, nursery stock, wood debris or lumber from areas where this pest occurs to prevent it from spreading.
- Do not move firewood. Get your firewood where you plan to burn it.
- Allow officials access to your property for inspection and, if necessary, eradication work.
- Move brush, leaves and twigs of regulated materials that are less than ½ inch in diameter to approved disposal sites. Call your State ALB Program for a disposal site near you.
- Don't plant host trees. For a list of recommended trees, go to: http://asianlonghornedbeetle.com/where-is-it/qzone/.
