New ALB find in Auburn
On January 14th, 2020, surveyors working with the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program discovered a tree with Asian longhorned beetle damage was found in Auburn, MA. While this is the first find of ALB damage in the town of Auburn, it was found well within the boundaries of the existing regulated area. The damage was found on a single red maple on the Pakachoag Golf , and no other damaged trees were found in the area. No adult beetles were found, and the age of the damage is still being determined. Because of the tree’s location, no change to the existing regulated area is needed.
This incident serves as a reminder that despite the fact that the ALB infestation is not as prominent in the news as it was 10 years ago, the infestation is still an ongoing issue and the insect has not yet been eradicated. It remains critically important for residents of Massachusetts, especially those in the regulated area, to continue check their trees for signs of damage from Asian longhorned beetle, and to report anything they find. Any sightings of ALB or damaged trees should be reported here or by calling 1-866-702-9938.
For more details on the Auburn find, see the article here.
A map of the ALB regulated area. The golf course where the infested tree was found is highlighted in red.