The USDA has designated August as “Tree Check Month” and is asking the public to look for and report signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). This invasive beetle was first discovered in the U.S. in Brooklyn in 1996. It primarily targets hardwood trees like maple, birch, elm, ash, poplar, and willow. ALB poses a critical threat to New York’s hardwood forests and negatively impacts agriculture and tourism.
Adult ALBs emerge in late summer and can be spotted on host trees and nearby surfaces. While adult beetles eat leaves and twigs, the real damage is done by the larvae. They bore deep into the heartwood, destroying the inner bark layers that transport vital water and nutrients. Infested trees cannot be saved and must be chopped down and chipped to kill the larvae and prevent the beetles from spreading.
To spot and report ALB, look for:
• The Beetles- Large, shiny black insects with white spots and long antennae banded with black and white.
• Tree Damage- Perfectly round, pencil-sized exit holes in the branches and trunks.
• Pool Surveys- DEC asks pool owners to check their skimmers and filters for ALB during August because backyard pools act as “giant insect traps.”
• Report Finds- If you find ALB, send a photo of what you find to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov
For more information, including instructions on how you can identify and help combat ALB, visit: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/asian-longhorned-beetle-alb
