Asian Longhorned Beetle in New York - 1999
Problem
The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is a non-native pest that threatens our urban and rural forests. ALB kills many species of hardwood trees (primarily maples, elms, and willows). The beetle entered the United States in solid wood packing material from China. The goal is to locate and eradicate all ALB populations established in the United States, including known infestations in New York City and Chicago. Asian Longhorned Beetle image
Situation in New York
bullet point Infested trees continue to be found in the three quarantined areas in Brooklyn/Queens, Bayside, and Amityville.
bullet point In addition, infested trees were found and removed from new spots in Manhattan (Rupert Park), Flushing, and Islip. The infested site in Manhattan is close to Central Park and resulted in surveys of trees on the park's east side.
bullet point Preventative insecticide protection is being tested at four sites in the quarantined area.
bullet point Surveys with bucket trucks and trees climbers continue to complement binocular surveys to improve detection of lightly infested trees. Forest Service climbers are currently on site.
bullet point Cooperative and information sharing between state, local, and Federal agencies and local grassroots organizations to raise public awareness and further improve identification of infested trees will be energized by a New York ReLeaf conference on May 20, 2000.
bullet point About 4,600 infested trees have been destroyed so far.
Role of the Northeastern Area
bullet point Assist in surveys to find ALB-infested trees.
bullet point Provide scientific and technical assistance.
bullet point Support reforestation activities in impacted neighborhoods.
Response by Northeastern Area
bullet point Worked with APHIS to initiate chemical insecticide trials.
bullet point Helped plan New York ReLeaf conference and provided financial and technical assistance.
bullet point Continue to fill requests for the ALB Pest Alert.
bullet point Supplied information to our ALB website to provide the latest information on the infestations and other technical information: http://willow.ncfes.umn.edu/asianbeetle/beetle.htm.
bullet point Assisted Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts in developing ALB plans and working groups that will direct a coordinated response if ALB is discovered there.
Cooperating Agencies
bullet point USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Mike Wright (518) 438-3896
bullet point New York Department of Agriculture and Markets-Bob Mungari (518) 457-2087
bullet point New York City Department of Parks and Recreation-Fiona Watt (718) 760-6811
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Michael T. Rains
Director
mrains@fs.fed.us
(610) 557-4103
(610) 557-4177 (FAX)
www.fs.fed.us/na/ 		Noel Schneeberger
FHP Program Coordinator
nschneeberger@fs.fed.us
(610) 557-4121		     Dennis Souto
    Entomologist - DFO
    dsouto@fs.fed.us
    (603) 868-7717
pdf May 15, 2000 - revised
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