The Ohio Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, announced July 20 that the Asian longhorned beetle was discovered in Stonelick Township.

According to a press release from the ODA, the beetle was found in Stonelick Township on a property near Possum Hollow Road within the southern part of the township.

“What I can tell you is, at this point, there are only two infested trees on the property,” Rhonda Santos, public relations officer for the USDA-APHIS, said.

Santos said an adult beetle was found on the property, and the infestation was reported early last week.

She said crews are surveying the surrounding areas to determine the extent of the infestation, and the two trees that were infested in Stonelick Township were removed July 24.

Once the extent of the infestation is evaluated, Santos said they will decide how far to expand the ALB quarantine to include additional properties near the new infestation.

State and federal officials believe the source of the infestation was firewood moved from Tate Township in 2010 prior to the current ALB quarantine being established.

“There is certainly a likelihood that infested material, such as firewood, was being moved before the regulations were in place,” Santos said.

Santos said Asian longhorned beetles are large insects and they do not prefer to fly long distances, but instead, tend to infest host trees that are close in proximity.

She said because of these traits, when new infestations are discovered a considerable distance away it is often because infested material has been moved.

“What’s happening in Ohio is similar to what has happened in other states with what we call satellite infestations,” Santos said. “It is not a continuous line, just an isolated population due to movement of infested material.”

Santos said there is a chance additional satellite infestations may be discovered.

“It’s a word of caution to residents to report and take a look at their trees,” Santos said. “Early detection is really important.”