(WFRV) – Wisconsin officials are asking residents to stay alert for a destructive invasive insect that could arrive in the state this summer: the Asian long-horned beetle.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), though the beetle has not yet been detected in Wisconsin, it has already established itself in neighboring states, including Ohio. The insect is known to attack maple trees and other deciduous species, posing a series threat to the state’s forests. Deciduous plants are trees and scrubs that shed their leaves seasonally.
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Image courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Adult Asian long-horned beetles are shiny black with white spots and measure between 1 and 1.5 inches in length. Their most destructive feature is their long, black and white banded antennae. They are typically active from July through September.
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Image courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Anyone who suspects they’ve spotted one is asked to take clear, close-up photos and note the exact location. Reports should be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Pest Hotline 866-440-7525 or emailed to DATCPPestHotline@wisconsin.gov.
For more information or help identifying the beetle, residents can also contact their regional DNR Forest Health specialist: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/foresthealth/staff.
