ALERT - Asian Longhorned Beetle in Central Massachusetts

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis, "ALB"), a pest of hardwood trees, was recently discovered in Worcester, Massachusetts. ALB is an invasive species native to China. It was first discovered in the U.S. in New York in 1996, and has also been found in Chicago and New Jersey. The beetles tunnel within the trunks and branches of trees, disrupting the sap flow and weakening and eventually killing them.

This pest attacks a wide variety of hardwood trees, particularly maples, and is considered a serious threat to the nursery, lumber, wood products, maple syrup, and tourism industries in our state. If it becomes established over a large area, it could significantly disrupt the forest ecosystem, potentially leading to the loss of 35% of the forest canopy.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Agricultural Resources, and the City of Worcester, are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and USDA APHIS-PPQ to coordinate a management plan to eradicate this species in Massachusetts. First steps include a survey of the area to determine the extent of the infestation, and regulatory management to prevent movement of host trees and wood out of the infested area. Infested trees will need to be
removed and destroyed, and susceptible host trees may need treatment to prevent further infestations. A restrictive area
has been established covering parts of five communities in Central Massachusetts (Worcester, Boylston, Holden, Shrewsbury, and West Boylston).

If you see any of these please contact Trish Brennan, Holliston Conservation Commission Agent at: 508-429-0607

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_longhorn_beetle

USDA APHIS: www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/alb/

UMass/NRCS: http://massnrc.org/pests/index.htm 

Source: MACC