August 1, 2018
This eNewsletter is designed to keep you up-to-date with Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) eradication efforts and serve as a meaningful resource for the most current information. Presently, there are active eradication programs operating in three states: New York, Massachusetts and Ohio. The following information pertains to eradication activities in each of these states.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
August is Tree Check Month: USDA asks for public’s help to find the Asian longhorned beetle…read more
OHIO – First detection in June 2011
Regulated Area: 57 sq. miles*
57 – Clermont County (Tate, Williamsburg, and Monroe Townships)
Infested Trees: 19,065
18,980 – Tate Township
48 – Monroe Township
3 – Stonelick/Batavia Township
34 – East Fork Recreational Area
Removals: 99,847
19,006 Infested:
18,921 – Tate Township
48 – Monroe Township
3 – Stonelick/Batavia Township
34 – East Fork Recreation Area
80,841 High-risk hosts
63,328 – Tate Township
1,138 – Monroe Township
0 – Stonelick/Batavia Township
16,375 – East Fork Recreation Area
Surveys: 2,703,272
* Stonelick and Batavia Townships declared eradication in 2018, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 5 sq. miles.
Ground and aerial survey crews continue to conduct delimiting surveys, inspecting all host trees throughout the regulated areas in Clermont County. Staff continues to monitor regulated areas, respond to service calls and conduct training sessions for compliance agreements. To report suspicious activity, please call 513-381-7180. Infested trees are removed throughout the year, as they are detected. The wood disposal yard located at 2896 State Route 232 in Bethel is open for business: Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wood chips are available for residents from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the first Sat. of every month. Click Ohio for more information.
MASSACHUSETTS – First detection in August 2008
Regulated Area: 110 sq. miles*
110 – Worcester County (Worcester, West Boylston, Boylston, Holden, Shrewsbury, Auburn)
Infested Trees: 24,185**
20,759 – Worcester
1,097 – Shrewsbury
233 – Holden
699 – West Boylston
1,391 – Boylston
0 – Auburn
6 – Boston
Removals: 36,104**
24,183 Infested:
20,759 – Worcester
1,097 – Shrewsbury
233 – Holden
697 – West Boylston
1,391 – Boylston
0 – Auburn
6 – Boston
11,921 High-risk hosts:
11,777 – Worcester
103 – Shrewsbury
1 – Holden
38 – West Boylston
2 – Boylston
0 – Auburn
0 – Boston
Surveys: Inspections continue
* Boston (Suffolk County) declared eradication in 2014, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 10 sq. miles.
** In 2016 audits were performed on the infested tree totals and the tree counts shown represent the correct totals. Due to additional host trees removed through acreage cuts within the regulated area, the actual number of infested trees and the actual number of trees removed is unknown.
Ground and aerial survey crews continue to conduct delimiting surveys, inspecting all host trees throughout the regulated areas in Worcester County. Staff continues to monitor regulated area, respond to service calls and conduct training sessions for compliance agreements. To report suspicious activity, please call 508-852-8110. The program continues to remove and destroy infested trees. Infested trees are removed throughout the year, as they are detected. The wood disposal yard is now located at 0 Dr. Paul Ware Drive in Boylston and is open for business Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Click Massachusetts for more information.
NEW YORK – First detection in August 1996
Regulated Area: 111 sq. miles*
28 – Kings County (Brooklyn)
32 – Queens County (Queens)
51 – Nassau/Suffolk County (Amityville)
Infested Trees: 7,143
2,327 – Brooklyn
1,831 – Queens
110 – Manhattan
2,791 – Amityville
27 – Islip
57 – Staten Island, includes Pralls Island
Removals: 23,932
7,143 Infested:
2,327 – Brooklyn
1,831 – Queens
110 – Manhattan
2,791 – Amityville
27 – Islip
57 – Staten Island, includes Pralls Island
16,816 High-risk hosts:
139 – Brooklyn
911 – Queens
20 – Manhattan
5,324 – Amityville
154 – Islip
10,268 – Staten Island, includes Pralls Island
Surveys: Inspections continue
* New infestation detected in the Amityville area in 2013 resulted in an increase of the regulated area by 28 sq. miles. Manhattan (New York County) and Staten Island (Richmond County) declared eradication in 2013, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 26 sq. miles. Islip (Suffolk County) declared eradication in 2011, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 7 sq. miles. Eastern Queens (Queens County) declared eradication in 2017, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 26 sq. miles.
Ground and aerial survey crews continue to conduct surveys, inspecting all host trees throughout the regulated areas in Kings, Queens, and Nassau/Suffolk counties. Staff continues to monitor regulated areas, respond to service calls and conduct training sessions for compliance agreements. Click New York for more information.
OTHER STATES:
Eradication efforts eliminated infestations and removed regulations in Illinois (2008) and New Jersey (2013).
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The program has no public meetings planned at this time.
REMINDERS:
The mission of the eradication program is to help save trees and to eliminate the beetle from infested areas. Residents in Asian longhorned beetle regulated areas cannot move firewood or wood debris outside of the regulated area. Residents are also discouraged from moving firewood and wood debris inside the regulated area. In the event of inclement weather, surveys and infested tree removals may be delayed or cancelled.
If you think you’ve found an Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) or signs of infestation, always record the area where the specimen was found. If possible, capture the insect you think is an Asian longhorned beetle, place it in a jar and freeze it — this will preserve the insect for easy identification. Take digital pictures of the insect and damage to your trees in case officials request them, and Report It.
More Information:
There are other ways to stay informed about Asian longhorned beetle eradication efforts:
ON THE WEB: www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com or APHIS Asian longhorned beetle
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/asianlonghornbeetle
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/user/BeetleBusters
TWITTER: @StopALB
For local information about eradication activities, or if you think you’ve found an insect or signs of infestation, please call 1-866-702-9938, or contact your state’s ALB eradication program office directly:
Ohio: (513) 381-7180
Massachusetts: (508) 852-8090
New York: (800) STOP-ALB or (631) 598-5943