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April 27, 2023
USDA’s works closely with Federal and State officials to eradicate Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) using a combined approach that includes imposing quarantines, conducting tree inspections, removing infested trees and sometimes high-risk host trees, using a systemic insecticide when appropriate, researching best practices and new eradication methods, and involving and informing residents. The following provides information about current infestations.
Announcements
Massachusetts Job Openings
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is hiring Seasonal Forestry Assistants to inspect trees for ALB. View the posting here.
New South Carolina Factsheet
A new factsheet about the South Carolina quarantine offers information about what is regulated, disposing of debris, working in the quarantine, etc. View the factsheet here.
 Want more of the latest updates? Follow ALB on Facebook and Twitter
ALB in the United States
ALB is in 4 states: Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. Eradication efforts eliminated infestations in Illinois and New Jersey. If you live in a quarantine area, please keep this tree-killing pest from spreading. Follow state and federal laws, that restrict the movement of woody material and untreated firewood.
SOUTH CAROLINA – First detection: May 2020
Regulated Area: 76.4 sq. miles in Charleston/Dorchester Counties
Infested Trees: 7,407
43 Charleston, 4,828 Hollywood, 1,499 Johns Island, 1,037 Ravenel
Removals: 7,771
4,851 Infested, 2,920 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: 218,510
Residents can dispose of regulated yard waste at Bees Ferry Road Convenience Center, 1344 Bees Ferry Road, 29414 or Hollywood Convenience Center, 5305 Highway 165, 29449. For more information, please call 843-973-8329 or click South Carolina.
OHIO – First detection: June 2011
Regulated Area: 49 sq. miles* in Clermont County
Tate and Williamsburg Townships
Infested Trees: 21,737
34 East Fork Recreational Area, 48 Monroe Township, 21,652 Tate Township, 3 Stonelick/Batavia Township
Removals: 116,632
21,577 Infested, 95,055 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: 4,335,026
The wood disposal yard located at 2896 State Route 232 in Bethel is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wood chips are available for residents from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. For more information, please call 513-381-7180 or click Ohio.
* Monroe Township eradicated in September 2018, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by .5 sq. miles. Stonelick and Batavia Townships eradicated in March 2018, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 5 sq. miles.
MASSACHUSETTS – First detection: August 2008
Regulated Area: 110 sq. miles* in Worcester County
Infested Trees: 24,209**
1 Auburn, 6 Boston, 13 Boylston, 233 Holden, 1,097 Shrewsbury, 699 West Boylston, 20,760 Worcester,
Removals: 36,265**
24,209 Infested, 12,056 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: Inspections continue
The wood disposal yard is located at 0 Dr. Paul Ware Drive in Boylston and is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, please call 508-852-8090 or click Massachusetts.
* Boston (Suffolk County) declared eradication in 2014, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 10 sq. miles. ** 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.
NEW YORK – First detection: August 1996
Regulated Area: 53 sq. miles* in Nassau/Suffolk County
Infested Trees: 7,244
2,892 Amityville, 2,327 Brooklyn, 27 Islip, 110 Manhattan, 1,831 Queens, 57 Staten Island
Removals: 24,113
7,243 Infested, 16,870 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: Inspections continue
For more information, please call 866-265-0301 or click New York.
* Brooklyn and Queens eradicated in 2019, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 58 sq. miles. New infestation detected in 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) eradicated in 2013, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 26 sq. miles. Islip (Suffolk County) eradicated in 2011, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 7 sq. miles.
Research
USDA laboratories conduct research to learn more about the beetle. This information guides the approach used to fight infestations. Field studies, trials, and laboratory research over the years have been vital in developing the protocols used today to fight the beetle.
Current research includes regulatory treatments for wood and nursery stock, chip size and grinding techniques to deregulate host materials, traps to lure adult beetles, and the use of dogs to detect the insect’s presence. USDA is also studying how quickly the insect spreads on its own and its host tree preference and range and conducting DNA analysis and various behavioral experiments.
Resources
Latest Maps
Interactive Quarantine Map
Eradication Program Maps
Informational Webpages
APHIS Eradication Program
Informational Reporting Site
Outreach Materials
All Publications
Booklet
Door Hanger
Identification Card
Poster
Photos
Videos
Social Media
Facebook @asianlonghornbeetle
Flickr @asianlonghornedbeetle
Twitter @StopALB
YouTube @BeetleBusters
Reminders
If you live in a quarantine area, you can help by allowing program officials access to your property to perform tree surveys and remove infested and, in some cases, high-risk host trees. Hire companies that have compliance agreements with the eradication program for working on host trees. And never move wood out of regulated areas, because it can spread the beetle and other tree pests and diseases.
Report ALB
If you think you’ve found ALB or signs of infestation, record the area where the specimen was found, capture the insect and take digital pictures of the insect and/or the tree damage. Then contact the eradication program operating in your state, or call the ALB hotline at 866-702-9938, or report online.
Contacts
ALB National Policy Manager
Kathryn Bronsky, 301-851-2147
Kathryn.E.Bronsky@usda.gov
ALB National Operations Manager
Josie Ryan, 631-229-3287
Josie.K.Ryan@usda.gov
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