Ohio Department of Agriculture Announces New Discovery
of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Clermont County
Firewood cited as source of new infestation
REYNOLDSBURG, OH (July 20, 2012) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), in collaboration with the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced the discovery of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) on two properties in Stonelick Township in Clermont County.
The center of the newly discovered infestation is on Possum Hollow Road within southern Stonelick Township in Clermont County. State and federal officials cite the movement of firewood in 2010 from Tate Township, prior to the current ALB quarantine zone being established, as the source of the new discovery.
APHIS and ODA inspection crews are surveying the surrounding areas to determine the extent of the ALB infestation. Crews will inspect host tree species susceptible to ALB for signs of the wood-boring beetle using ground surveyors and specially trained tree climbers. Once the extent of the infestation is evaluated, ODA will move to expand the ALB quarantine to include additional properties near the new infestation. When available, a map of the regulated properties will be posted at www.agri.ohio.gov.
In September 2011, firewood movement from Tate Township was cited as the source of an ALB infestation on properties in Monroe Township in Clermont County.
“To prevent the spread of this destructive insect, it is crucial that firewood not be moved from areas known to have ALB,” said Matt Beal, chief of the ODA Division of Plant Health. “As we learn more about where potentially infested material has moved in recent years, it is important for property owners familiarize themselves with the signs of an ALB infestation, monitor your trees and firewood, and as the property owner did correctly in this instance, report any signs of infestation as soon as possible.”
Adult ALBs are large, shiny black insects measuring 1 to 1 ½ inches long, not including antennae, with random white spots. Their white-banded antennae can be as long as the body itself on females and almost twice the body length on males.
Signs of infestation include perfectly round exit holes (about 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter) made by adult beetles when they emerge from trees; the pockmarks on tree trunks and branches where female beetles deposit eggs; frass (wood shavings and saw dust) produced by larvae feeding and tunneling; early fall coloration of leaves or dead branches, and running sap produced by the tree at the egg laying sites, or in response to larval tunneling.
To report signs or symptoms of ALB, please call the Ohio ALB Cooperative Eradication Program Office at 513-381-7180 or report online at www.BeetleBusters.info.
Media Contacts: Brett Gates, Ohio Department of Agriculture, (614) 752-9817
Rhonda Santos, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, (508) 852-8044
The USDA/Ohio Department of Agriculture Marshalling Yard located at 2896 State Route 232 Bethel, Ohio is accepting woody debris daily Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Marshalling Yard will only accept woody debris from trees. Construction debris or mixed waste will not be accepted. Chips are available for residents of Tate Township for personal use. The first Saturday of every month, chips are available without an appointment from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and the removal contractor will be available to load personal trucks during this time. Pick up on other Saturdays will be by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 513-381-7180. The vehicle used for transporting chips should be no larger than a light duty truck, no mechanized equipment. Residents will need proof of residency for Tate Township, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, voter registration card or utility bill. Residents must check in at the tower with officials upon arrival.
Infested tree removals in Clermont County began on November 14, 2011. During removal operations, program personnel are on site to oversee the contractors at all times. There is no cost to homeowners for removal of infested trees, including filling of stump holes and grass reseeding. Tree removals will not take place without prior notification of the property owner. The removal contractor, Young’s General Contracting Inc., is working directly with property owners to address any concerns or special circumstances. Property owners are asked to communicate any concerns with the contractor in advance of tree removal work being conducted by calling (573) 785-1501. Ground and tree climbing survey crews continue to conduct delimiting surveys, inspecting all host trees throughout the regulated areas in Clermont County. Staff survey for the presence of ALB by examining individual host trees for signs of beetle damage.
The following numbers pertain to the infested tree removals and surveys currently being conducted: 8,781--The number of ALB infested trees removed as of 9/29/12 (since removals starting on 11/14/11)
8,903--The number of ALB infested trees confirmed as of 9/29/12 (since detection on 6/17/11)
189,176--The number of trees surveyed as of 9/29/2012 (since surveys began on 7/1/11)
56 Square miles under regulation; see “Regulated Area” map: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/TopNews/asianbeetle/docs/ALB_quarantine_map.pdf
In the event of inclement weather, surveys and infested tree removals may be delayed or cancelled.
The quarantine restricts the movement of hardwood logs, firewood, stumps, roots and branches out of the regulated area and also restricts the sale of nursery stock, green lumber, and logs of the following trees: maples, horse chestnut, buckeye, mimosa, birch, hackberry, ash, golden raintree, katsura, sycamore, poplar, willow, mountain ash, and elms. Program staff continue to monitor regulated areas, respond to service calls and conduct training sessions for compliance agreements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) began removing trees infested with the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) the week of November 14, 2011. During removal operations, program personnel will be onsite to oversee the contractors at all times. There will be no cost to the homeowners for removal of infested trees. Tree removals will not take place without prior notification to the property owner. The program will work directly with property owners to address any concerns or special circumstances. Residents can report suspected Asian longhorned beetles by calling 1-855-252-6450 or by going online to www.BeetleBusters.info.
Because of the discovery of the ALB, the state of Ohio is restricting the movement of ALB host material and all hardwood firewood out of Tate Township and East Fork State Park. That means that it is illegal to move regulated logs, firewood, stumps, roots, or branches, and any life stage of the beetle, out of those two areas.
The USDA stresses that local homeowners will not incur costs for the removal of infested trees by the state or federal government. Click here for reporting information, additional information about the ALB, and to view video on how the beetle was discovered locally, and how the USDA is responding.