Asian longhorned beetle (Courtesy: Wisconsin DNR)
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a heads-up for residents about a "destructive, invasive" insect that may arrive this summer: the Asian longhorned beetle.
Are Asian longhorned beetles in Wisconsin?
Local perspective:
According to the DNR, the beetle has not yet been found in Wisconsin. However, infestations have been found in six states – including Illinois.
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Where did Asian longhorned beetles come from?
Big picture view:
The beetles are native to China and the Korean Peninsula. It is believed they got to North America as stowaways in wood packing materials. They have also been found in Europe.
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What do Asian longhorned beetles look like?
What we know:
Adult beetles can reach 1.5 inches in length. They have shiny black bodies with white spots. There are black-and-white stripes on their antennae. They are active from July through September.
What do Asian longhorned beetles do?
Why you should care:
The Asian longhorned beetle attacks maples and other trees that lose their leaves each fall, the DNR said, such as birch, elm and poplar trees.
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Asian longhorned beetle eggs are laid on the tree and, after they hatch, the larvae tunnel under the bark and into the wood. Adults emerge the next summer by chewing an exit hole through the bark.
If they become established in North America, the DNR said there will be "serious environmental and economic impacts, especially to maple forests and industries that use maple products."
Wisconsin DNR Department of Natural Resources
What can I do about Asian longhorned beetles?
What you can do:
Anyone who thinks they spotted an Asian longhorned beetle is asked to take high-quality, close-up photos and note their location as precisely as possible.
The beetle can easily hide in firewood, the DNR said, so avoid moving firewood long distances.
Any new and emerging insects should be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Pest Hotline at 866-440-7523 or via email.
For more information about identifying or controlling Asian longhorn beetles, contact the DNR Forest Health specialist for your part of the state.
The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for this report.