The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is declaring August as “Tree Check Month” for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). USDA and its partners are asking residents to check their trees for this invasive insect and the damage it causes. August is the most important time of year to look for the beetle because it is when people are most likely to see adult beetles.
The ALB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees in North America, such as maples, elms, buckeyes, birches, and willows. Infested trees do not recover and eventually die.
How You Can Help
The public has a vital role in helping to stop the spread of the ALB and eliminating it from infested areas.
Report it: If you think you found a beetle or tree damage, report it by calling the ALB hotline at 1-866-702-9938 or submitting an online report at www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com. Try to photograph the ALB or tree damage. If you can, capture the beetle in a durable container and freeze it, which helps preserve the insect for identification. Then report it.
For more information about the ALB and the eradication efforts, visit www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com. For local inquiries or to speak to your USDA State Plant Health Director, call 1-866-702-9938.
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