Hoping to Stop Invasion of the Tree Killers

Two state agencies have signed an agreement they hope will stop two Asian beetles from killing millions of trees. In neighboring states, these insects have waged silent invasions.

Three years ago, a woman enjoying a barbecue in her Worcester, Mass., back yard, 20 miles north of the Connecticut border, spotted a large, black beetle with white spots. She took out her cell phone and grabbed a photo. The beetle had curly, long antennae. After years of dread, the Asian longhorned beetle was in New England.

That next winter, after a killing frost, the U.S. Department of Agriculture removed trees in that Worcester neighborhood to prevent their spreading out of the area. Scientists estimated the Worcester infestation to be up to 10 years old. Because of this, and because two heavily traveled highways, I-395 and I-290, pass near the area, officials immediately worried that the beetles could easily spread to Connecticut. They already are killing trees in several states, including New York, where they showed up in 1996. These beetles probably shipped into the United States, from China, in packing crates, date unknown.

The emerald ash borer, another Asian beetle that stowed away to the U.S., has killed millions of trees in the Midwest—an amazing fact, since the emerald ash borer eats only ash trees. Connecticut has roughly 25 million ash trees. This metallic green insect grows to just a half-inch long. The adults eat leaves. It is the larvae that kill the trees as they devour them just beneath the bark.

State and embattled agricultural station join forces

“The arrival of either of these insects in Connecticut could be devastating to the beauty of our state forests, state and local parks and our neighborhoods,” said Daniel C. Esty, commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Last week, the DEEP signed a memorandum of agreement with the budget-embattled Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the premier knowledge center on these invasive insects.

Esty noted that wood products in Connecticut “are a significant part of our state’s economy.  It is imperative we have an aggressive monitoring plan in place and are ready to take quick action if either insect is detected.”

“If these exotic beetles enter Connecticut, it will be a major event,” said CAES Director Louis A. Magnarelli.

Because the only way to limit the spread of the beetles is to quarantine trees and not to transport wood out of state, the state wants a plan of action in case someone enjoying a barbecue here spots an Asian longhorn beetle or emerald ash borer.

The agreement, the DEEP said, establishes a legal framework for the two state agencies to work together. They would restrict movement of firewood, nursery stock and other wood items. A crucial step many can take: Buy firewood only near where you live.

Trees these beetles like include: Box elder; Norway, red, silver, and sugar maples; alders; birches; elms; horse chestnuts; poplars; and willows—among others. Previous  infestations have occurred in New York, Illinois, and New Jersey.

Residents suspecting they have seen the ALB or EAB should report their findings to CAES at (203) 974-8474 or (203) 974-8485. Residents can also report sightings to APHIS via their website.

To learn more: USDA FS Pest Alert

For a fact sheet.

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