U.S. vows to wage war against tree-munching beetle
Date: 01-Feb-00
Country: USA
The U.S. Agriculture Department said it will test an insecticide in the
two cities this spring. The chemical will be injected into the soil or
directly into trees and poison Asian long-horned beetles that attempt to
make their homes in healthy trees.
"Officials are optimistic these field tests will provide an alternative
to tree removal in the battle against this pest," the Agriculture
Department said in a statement.
Last year, officials removed 4,300 trees in and around New York City and
another 1,200 trees in the Chicago area after Asian long-horned beetles
infested trees throughout the cities.
The pest has infested hardwood trees in more than a half-dozen U.S.
states - mostly in the eastern half of the country and often near
warehouses storing imported goods.
Officials believe the Asian long-horned beetle arrived in larvae form in
wooden crates from China. The large, flying black-and-white spotted
beetle with long antennae kills by attacking the circulatory systems of
trees. It is considered the worst imported pest since the gypsy moth.
Economists estimate up to $138 billion in damage to the U.S. economy if
the beetle were to spread nationwide. Lumber and maple sugar industries
are particularly vulnerable.
