UPDATE ON ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE IN CHICAGO

The eradication of the five Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) infestations in the Chicago area is progressing.  Only 19 infested trees have been detected in the last year, all in the main Ravenswood infestation.  Since ALB was detected in Chicago in 1998, 1566 infested trees have been found and destroyed.  Survey for infested trees continues with bucket trucks and tree climbers (provided by FS Smokejumpers).  An insecticide is being tested for the eradication of ALB.  Every host tree within one-eighth mile of an infested tree is being injected with the systemic insecticide imidacloprid (trade names include Merit and Imicide).  So far, more than 98,000 trees have been treated during the last 3 years.  Us Forest Service Research is testing a portable acoustical detective device that is able to detect ALB larvae chewing in trees.  This may greatly improve the detection of infested trees over the visual detection method currently used in the survey.

Early detection of any ALB infestation is key to eradication.  People that view the crowns of trees, especially in urban areas, could be early detectors.  A key audience is the urban tree care industry, and efforts to increase ALB awareness for this audience are being implemented.  More information on ALB is available at www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/alb