Finally some positive news pertaining to the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). Since its introduction into this country in 1998 via solid wood transport packaging material, the invasive insect has devastated trees in numerous locations throughout the country. It continues to cause problems, however, in the Chicago area, officials are ready to claim victory over the inch-long invader.
Illinois Director of Agriculture Chuck Hartke joined dignitaries from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. Forest Health Protection at Oz Park in Chicago Wednesday to lift the final Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) quarantine zone in the Chicago area.
Years of scouting, monitoring and regulating movement of the beetle and host materials is nearing an end. Since the initial detection, more than 1,500 infested trees have been detected and removed from northeastern Illinois. These have been replaced by nearly 3,000 trees of a non-host species.
Illinois Department of Agriculture officials say they are one step closer to declaring full eradication of the Asian Longhorned Beetle in Chicago.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture