August is Tree Check Month, a peak time of year when the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) can be found, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) is asking Ohio residents to help eradicate this invasive pest by looking for signs in their trees. USDA and local agricultural departments want to be made aware of any infested trees and new outbreaks, so they can be quickly contained to keep the beetle from spreading. In particular, those living in Clermont County should be on the lookout, since they are fighting an active beetle infestation that has resulted in the loss of 84,859 trees to date. The Asian longhorned beetle has the potential to destroy millions of acres of America’s treasured hardwoods, including maple, birch, elm, willow, ash and poplar trees, just to name a few – as well as the iconic Ohio buckeye. The beetle is slow to spread on its own during the early stages of an infestation, so early detection and reporting is critical to containing it. People can also help by not moving firewood, which can transport the beetle hidden inside to new areas.

“We’re asking for 10 minutes to have everyone go outside and inspect their trees,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ national operations manager for the ALB eradication program. “New Asian longhorned beetles typically emerge from trees in August, so if you see any signs, report them immediately. It’s possible to eradicate this destructive pest, but we need the public’s help to do so.”

The Asian longhorned beetle has distinctive markings that are easy to recognize:

• Long antennae with black and white bands, longer than the insect’s body.

• A shiny, jet-black body, about 1” to 1 ½” long, with white spots.

• Six legs with possible bluish-colored feet.

Signs of its devastation include:

• Perfectly round exit holes, about the size of a dime or smaller, in tree trunks and branches.

• Shallow oval or round scars in the bark, where the adult beetle has chewed an egg site.

• Sawdust-like material, called frass, on the ground around the tree or in the branches.

• Dead branches or limbs falling from an otherwise healthy-looking tree.

What to do if you see signs of the ALB:

• Make note of what you found, where you saw it and take a photo, if possible.

• Also, try to capture the insect. Place it in a container and freeze it. Doing so will preserve it for easy identification by the USDA.

• Finally, report your findings by calling 1-866-702-9938 or completing the online form.

The Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect from Asia, has no natural enemies here. Since its discovery in the U.S. in 1996, it has led to the loss of more than 160,000 trees in forests, parks and neighborhoods. Once infested, trees will die and need to be removed.

In addition to Clermont County, Ohio, current beetle infestations are being fought in Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, N.Y., and Worcester County, Mass. Infestations have been eliminated in Illinois, New Jersey, New York (Manhattan, Staten Island and Islip) and Boston.

For more information about the Asian longhorned beetle, ways to keep it from spreading and eradication program activities, visit www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com and www.HungryPests.com. For local inquiries or to be forwarded to your State Plant Health Director, call 1-866-702-9938.