New England has nothing on New York State when it comes to fall foliage and syrup. The Maple trees that decorate the Capital Region and beyond are world class. That is, as long as, they aren't damaged, ravaged and destroyed by a an insect the size of a quarter.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is urging New Yorkers to keep an eye out for the Asian longhorned beetle, the insect that can cause serious damage to the state's hardwood including maples, birches and willow trees. Now is the time to be on the look out as they start to emerge from their host tree toward the end of Summer.

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This is how you can spot the Asian longhorned beetle and the damage they are causing:

  • They are 1.5 inches long
  • Black bugs with white spots and black and white antennae
  • Look for perfectly round exit holes about the size of a dime in branches and trunks
  • Look for sawdust-like material that collects on branches and around the base of a tree
It is suspected that these insects first arrived in New York in the 1990's by way of hitching a ride on cargo from China. Now that they are here we need to keep them at bay to avoid devastating impacts to the maple syrup industry, furniture and flooring.
According to NBC2 WGRZ, state officials are asking swimming pool owners to check your filters for the Asian longhorned beetle. If you spot one, take a picture and report it ti the NYSDEC. Email your information to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.

 

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