Beetlebuster Alert!

[Waumbek]

In our area, infestations of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) have been identified in New York, Worcester MA, and south of Montreal, Que. (Perhaps VT too but I'm not certain about that.) None in the other NE states yet, but the fear is that the ALB has spread beyond these known areas. The beetle does extensive damage to NE's iconic trees, maples, birch, etc. Northeast forest health managers are asking campers to keep an eye out for larva and insect this Labor Day weekend and to report any findings. And, of course, not to transport firewood.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...HOL-?SITE=NHCON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

You can see the ALB and get reporting info, including online reporting, on the USDA's "Beetlebuster" site:

http://www.beetlebusters.info/

My town has identified all second home owners whose primary residence is in or near Worcester MA and sent letters reminding those residents not to transport firewood.

 

[Paradox]

Important stuff, thanks!

 

[Fitz]

Beetles

We were camping at a campsite in the North Maine Woods a few weeks ago and we found some beetles at the site that appeared to be very similar. Long segmented antennas, horns etc. I was afraid they might be the asian critters, brought to the site with campfire wood, but they lacked the white stripes and spots.

Turns out they were the Sawyer beetle, which isn't great either, but less of an issue.

Here are the Sawyer beetles we found. Note the white spot behind the head and between the wings:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/sawyer.pdf