The Asian Longhorned Beetle has been found in Boston. Click here to read a message from the state, and a link to a Boston.com article (in their archives at https://bostonglobe.newspapers.com/image/444000781/?match=7&terms=beetle and https://bostonglobe.newspapers.com/image/444000935/?match=1&terms=beetle. Subscription required). Here is the gist of the news.
In July, a small infestation of Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) was found in Jamaica Plain (Boston). The site is at Faulkner Hospital, just across from the Arnold Arboretum. Six infested maple trees were found so far, in close proximity to each other, and have already been removed by USDA/DCR. Surveys will continue this week.
It is important to get the word out 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, horse chestnut, 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 by calling toll-free: 1-866-702-9938. Take photos if you can.
We can provide you with free ID cards, fact sheets, etc. Just contact Jen Forman Orth ([email protected]; 617-626-1735). We have obtained some of these and distributed them at our summer picnic.
Spread the word, not the beetle! Get all the latest ALB news at: http://massnrc.org/pests/alb