Be on the Lookout for the Asian Longhorned Beetle
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Asian Longhorned Beetle

Exit holes from the ALB

Immediate Release
August 14, 2012

 

Batavia, Ohio.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) asks the public to be on the lookout for the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB)!  Since the spread of ALB to Stonelick Township due to firewood movement from the Bethel area, APHIS encourages citizens to become familiar with the signs ALB could be present in trees on your property.

 

Adult beetles are most active during the summer and early fall, making August and September one of the peak times for emergence of this invasive pest.  They can be seen on trees, branches, walls, outdoor furniture, cars, sidewalks, or even caught in pool filters.  The ALB has unique characteristics, making it easy to identify.

 

The ALB is 1 to 1 ½  inches in length, has long antennae with black and white bands (the antennae are longer than the beetle’s body); they have a shiny, jet black body with random white spots, and six legs that may appear blue in color.  In addition to identifying the beetle, it is important to recognize the signs ALB might be present on your property.  The beetle feeds on 13 different genera of hardwood trees, with maple, willow, elm, horse chestnut, and birch being the host trees most preferred by the ALB.  Infested trees may have dime-sized, perfectly round exits holes in the trunk or branches, and oval depressions on the bark where the eggs are laid.  You may also find sawdust-like material, called frass, on the ground and branches, and find sap seeping from wounds in the tree. 

 

The best way to prevent further infestation is to report signs of ALB immediately.  If you find a beetle, try to capture it in a jar and place it in the freezer to preserve the insect for APHIS staff to determine if it is actually an ALB.  Another way to prevent ALB from spreading to other parts of the county and state, remember that the quarantine restricting the movement of firewood from infested areas is still in place.  Hardwood logs, firewood, stumps, roots, and branches are not to be removed from the regulated area.  All of Tate Township and part of Monroe Township is still under quarantine.  Program officials are working to determine a regulated area for the Stonelick Township infestation.  When available, a map of regulated properties will be posted at www.agri.ohio.gov.

 

The ALB is an invasive insect from Asia that came to the U.S. concealed in solid wood packing material used to transport goods overseas.  ALB was first detected in Clermont County in June 2011.  If you think you see signs of ALB in the trees on your property, or see an insect that you believe may be ALB, please call the local ALB Cooperative Eradication Program at (513) 381-7180, or call the toll free hotline at 1-866-702-9938.  Visit the website http://www.BeetleBusters.info for more information about ALB.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Assistant Rebecca Kimble at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, rkimble@ clermontcountyohio.gov.

 

 
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