Female Asian Longhorned Beetle - Image from Michael Bohne uvm.edu

Summary of News Release from the USDA:

Yet another sign of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has been found in Massachusetts, this time in the city of West Boylston. On Oct. 13, The U.S. Department of Agricultures’ Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the discovery of 18 additional trees infested with Asian longhorned beetle. In an effort to eradicate any further outbreaks of ALB, APHIS inspectors discovered the beetles while surveying trees in the West Boylston area.

“All the trees are showing active signs of ALB infestation.  Some have the perfectly round, 3/8 inch in diameter exit holes indicating that beetles have emerged this year,” said Christine Markham, APHIS’ director of the national ALB program.

Map of the Asian Longhorned Beetle quarantined area in Worcester County.

Because of this discovery, APHIS will expand the ALB quarantine area in Massachusetts by 8 square miles.  The agency regulates the transportation of firewood, lumber, nursery stock, and tree limbs within the quarantine zone.  APHIS will continue to work with the state and municipalities to survey and prevent the spread of ALB.

A mature ALB is about 1 to 1.5 inches long, has a shiny, jet black body with distinctive white spots and long antenna banded in black and white.  The adult beetles are most evident between June and October.  As developing larvae, ALB tunnel through the heartwood of various tree species during the winter months damaging the pathways that move water and nutrients throughout the tree.  This tunneling ultimately kills the tree.

For information about the beetle and management program, you can call the Massachusetts ALB program at 1-866-702-9938.

Access these websites for more info:
www.aphis.usda.gov 
www.beetlebusters.info 
massnrc.org/pests/alb 

Read full press release
More on Asian Longhorned Beetle
Arborjet Distributors