The Governor’s Office has declared August – Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month. Increased awareness is called for with the latest find of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Jamaica Plain, MA. The following is from the UMass Extension Landscape Message #19 of July 23, 2010.
Asian Longhorned Beetle – As of July 18th, 2400 trees have been ground-surveyed around the initial find of ALB in Jamaica Plain and 251 trees have been surveyed by climbers: No new finds of ALB have been detected thus far other than the initial 6 red maples at Faulkner Hospital, which were quickly removed and destroyed on July 6th, 2010. Survey work continues within the 1.5 mile radius Regulated Area.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has issued the following:
“It is extremely important that we get the word out ASAP to everyone in the Boston, Brookline and Newton area to be on the lookout for:
- Adult Asian longhorned beetles (shiny black beetles with white spots and long, banded antennae).
- ALB exit holes (dime-sized, perfectly round holes, especially in maple, but also in birch, elm, horsechestnut, willow and other hardwood trees…but not oak).
- ALB egg-laying sites (divots in the bark ranging in size from 1/4 to 3/4 inches across – fresh pits often have oozing, foaming sap)
Anyone seeing anything suspicious should report it immediately at
http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or toll-free:
1-866-702-9938. Take photos if you can.
If you are with an environmental group or other organization that needs outreach materials, we will provide you with ID cards, fact sheets, etc., for free. Just contact Jennifer Forman-Orth by phone or email: 617-626-1735 or jennifer.forman-orth@state.ma.us
Spread the word, not the beetle! Get all the latest ALB news at:
http://massnrc.org/pests/alb”
Asian longhorned beetle adults are becoming active. Infested trees were reported by a homeowner in Shrewsbury last week, which were within the Regulated Area.