Asian longhorn beetle

The Asian longhorn beetle has become a global threat to deciduous forests across the country, and in fact worldwide! It was first detected in Brooklyn, NY in 1996, attacking and eventually killing hardwood trees by boring dime-sized holes into the wood. Most recently the beetles have spread into parts of Massachusetts, leading officials to appeal to volunteers to help identify infected trees so they can be destroyed before the beetles spread further. You can help by looking for the tell-tale signs of longhorn beetles attacks and reporting them here on Species Explorer!

The USDA has also set up a special site called Beetle Busters to encourage the public to report any signs of Asian longhorn beetles. Check it out!