ALB Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 11 (8/3/2009)

This is Volume 1, Issue 11 (08/03/2009) of the ALB Newsletter, your link to the latest information about the Asian longhorned beetle, brought to you by the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP).

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Recent News

• Adult Asian longhorned beetles have been seen emerging from the trees in Worcester (Worcester Telegram & Gazette). Report possible ALB sightings here or call 1-866-702-9938.
• The regulated area has been expanded to include a small area of Holden where infested trees were found. The new map encompasses 66 square miles.
• August has been declared Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month in Massachusetts! Read the official proclamation.
• Worcester is looking into borrowing money to boost tree plantings in Asian longhorned beetle-infested areas. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• In a three-part feature on invasive species, the Boston Herald covered Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer.
• New York City has received an additional $23 million in federal funding to continue the fight against Asian longhorned beetle. (New York Daily News)

Other News

• Broad-necked root borer beetles can be confused with ALB. See photos and learn about these native insects here. Other insects sometimes mistaken for ALB include the eyed click beetle and the whitespotted sawyer beetle.
• The Worcester Tornadoes baseball team hosted an Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Night organized by the Worcester Tree Initiative, and gave out ALB antennae headbands to attendees.
• Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and USDA APHIS-PPQ recently gave two talks about Asian Longhorned Beetle at the Arnold Arboretum. Over 50 Arboretum staff and members of the general public received training on how to identify ALB and ALB tree damage.
• A professionally-printed ALB information sheet is still available to include in town mailings or as a bill insert. To obtain ALB outreach materials email jennifer.forman-orth AT state.ma.us.

Events and Volunteer Opportunities:

• Join the upcoming ALB "Train-the-Trainer" sessions in Boston and Springfield. We will provide you with the tools and skills you need to teach others how to recognize ALB and to survey trees for ALB damage. Registration required - register now!
  
  Boston sessions:
  • August 26th, 8:30am-10:30am
  • August 11th, 6pm-8pm
  
  Springfield sessions:
  • August 13th, 6pm-8pm
  
  Refreshments will be provided. Sign up via links above, or email jennifer.forman-orth AT state.ma.us, or call 617-626-1735.
• Giving a talk or manning a booth about Asian longhorned beetle? We can help you get ID cards, pest alerts, etc. Email jennifer.forman-orth AT state.ma.us or call 617-626-1735 for details. Inquiries for events outside of Massachusetts will get forwarded to the appropriate state.

Regulated Area

• Most recent regulated area map (from 8/3/2009)

General Information

• The latest maps, fact sheets, and information can be found at the official website of the Massachusetts ALB Cooperative Eradication Program
• UMass Extension’s ALB page
• Asian Longhorned Beetle page from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

If you have ALB-related links or other information that you would like to share, email pestalert@massnrc.org.

Get this news as it happens with the ALB Twitter feed

This is the ALB Newsletter from the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP). Visit our website for more information (http://www.massnrc.org/pests), or to sign up to receive this newsletter by email (http://massnrc.org/pests/signup.aspx).

DISCLAIMER: The listing of hyperlinks in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. MIPOP makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of any of these links.