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The Country’s Most Dangerous Beetles
Invasive beetles of various colors and sizes have infiltrated U.S. forests, despite efforts by government experts
By Sarah Zielinski
Smithsonian.com, October 18, 2009
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(Michael Smith / USDA)
Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
Native to: China, Korea and Japan
Attacks: Hardwood tree species, including maple, birch, poplar and elm
First discovered in the United States: In August 1996 in Brooklyn, New York
Currently found in: Worcester, Massachusetts; New York City; New Jersey
Has been eradicated from: Chicago, Illinois
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Comments
great!
Posted by Jinquan Wu on October 22,2009 | 08:58AM
that is why we need better safeguards to prevent or stop invasion of foreign species.
Posted by Bill in Ohio on November 5,2009 | 10:20AM
Based on information received from acquaintances who work or who have worked for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), some of the recent invasions can be attributed to changes made to APHIS's mission and structure during the Bush administration. When the Department of Homeland Security was created, the APHIS port of entry inspectors who inspected imports for foreign insects and other unwanted "guests" were assigned to search instead for explosives and other materials of use by terrorists. Many of these inspectors had PhDs and were highly trained to spot invasive species; none knew how to spot terrorist materials. Those inspectors already were too few to do the job thoroughly and after the mission change became even fewer. due to retirements and protest resignations. I have heard, but do not now recall, what the drop was in percentage of imports inspected for invasive species, but I think it went from about 60% down to about 10% and is still pretty much at that level. At this level it is no wonder that invasives enter the country undetected.
Posted by John Hunter on November 5,2009 | 02:48PM
We live in south MS and last fall we lost a 90' tall oak to this beetle, according to our tree specialist. It only took 3 months, after spotting the first dead branch, for the entire tree to die. He told us that they travel through the roots to neighboring trees and there is no way to stop them. Horrible! Now we can only wait?
Posted by Camilla Coolidge on November 6,2009 | 09:22AM
It is misplaced, at best, to blame the Bush administration for these invasions. Check your dates and facts before passing judgement. You also do not state if the number of occurances has actually changed. These types of things happen more and more as a result of the closeness of the global ecconomy.
Posted by Michael Proudfoot on November 8,2009 | 01:42PM
I have this last week noticed a small number of beetles on the screens of our country home in the Bristol hills near Canandaigua NY 14424. The beetle is about 3/4 inchis flat and mostly three shades of brown with I think are lighter small markings on its sides. they also have two 3/4 inch antanee. Are thes a problem and if so what can I do?
Posted by richard rosenbloom on November 9,2009 | 07:33AM
Thank you for posting pictures of these insects. It is good to know what they look like so we can report them to authorities if we see them. I know the natural resources people in the mid-western U.S. are trying to stop the spread of these insects and this may be helpful.
Posted by Sheryl on November 9,2009 | 10:12AM