Everyone’s being asked to keep an eye out for an invader that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources worries could be devastating to forests in the state.
DNR invasive species communications coordinator Joanne Foreman tells us the Asian longhorned beetle has been found in New York and Ohio. The wood-boring bug is about an inch to 1.5 inches long with a shiny, black body flecked with irregular, white blotches and a long antennae that has black and white bands.
Foreman says the beetle is trouble for trees.
“This beetle is dangerous because what it does is it chews into trees and then basically eats around in the heartwood until it grows large enough to emerge and then it comes out and mates and creates new babies that do the same thing,” Foreman said.
Foreman says the Asian longhorned beetle eats pencil-sized holes into trees that aren’t too hard to spot. The bug itself also stands out.
“This is the best time to look for these beetles because this is a time where they’re emerging from trees and moving around. So what we want people to do is in your neighborhood or your backyard, wherever it is that you go outside, take a look, especially at maple trees and willows.”
Foreman says the Asian longhorned beetle has yet to appear in Michigan, and the DNR wants to keep it that way. That’s why everyone’s asked to take care not to transport firewood. Always burn your firewood where you bought it. Anyone who thinks they’ve found an Asian longhorned beetle should contact the USDA.
Foreman notes the USDA has had to destroy thousands of trees in areas where the beetle was discovered. If you think you found a beetle or tree damage, report it by calling the USDA ALB hotline at 1-866-702-9938.
You can learn more about the Asian longhorned beetle right here.
