The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) has caused tens of thousands of hardwood trees to be destroyed in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Ohio. Trees in forests and cities all across America are at risk. But with your help, we can stop it.

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), also known as the Asian cerambycid beetle, is native to Japan, Korea, and southern China. Experts believe that the beetle “hitchhiked” to the U.S. during the early 1990's in solid wood packing or crating materials on a cargo ship arriving from China. 

In June 2011, the first Ohio infestation in trees was discovered near the village of Bethel in Clermont County. The insect was previously found associated with solid wood packing and crating materials in warehouses located in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Loudonville.

ALB is a serious pest of hardwood trees in its native environment, where it has few natural enemies. In the U.S., where no natural enemies exist, the insect is extremely destructive to our trees and forests. The beetle attacks many different hardwood trees of any age. Beetles will attack both stressed and healthy trees, which makes them an even greater threat.

Symptoms of the ALB:

• Visible Asian Longhorned Beetles. Adult beetles have bullet-shaped bodies from 3/4 inch to 1-1/2 inches long, shiny black with white spots and long striped antennae, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 times the size of its body.
• Chewed round depressions in the bark of a tree.
• Pencil-sized, perfectly round tree exit holes.
• Excessive sawdust (frass) buildup near tree bases.
• Unseasonable yellowed or drooping leaves.

For more information visit the USDA's webpage dedicated to the ALB (HERE) or email electric@westerville.org and request a reply from a Utility Arborist.

Source: USDA.gov.