Brown calls on USDA to act to prevent spread of invasive beetle
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Following the discovery of trees infested by an invasive insect, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sec. Tom Vilsack to move immediately to stop the spread of invasive beetle found in southwest Ohio.
On Friday, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that Clermont County has been designated a quarantine zone to prevent the proliferation of the Asian longhorned beetle.
“As international trade with China increases, the Asian longhorned beetle travels in wood crates to our shores and has the potential to devastate trees and cause wide-spread destruction to Ohio’s wooded lands,” Brown said. “By engaging federal, state, and local resources we can prevent this invasive species from spreading and ravaging Ohio’s forests and tree population.”
Asian longhorned beetles attack several species of trees by tunneling into large branches and the trunk while in its larvae stage and were first discovered in the U.S. in 1996. They enter non-native habitats like Ohio typically through shipping materials coming from Asia.
According to the APHIS, Adult Asian longhorned beetle are usually large, distinctive-looking insects measuring 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, not including antennae. Their white-banded antennae can be as long as the body itself in females and almost twice the body length in males.
Brown sent the following letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Recently, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) determined that Asian longhorned beetle larvae had been found in Ohio. As you know, this invasive species has the potential to devastate trees and cause wide-spread destruction to Ohio’s forested lands. Your prompt assistance and attention is paramount in ensuring the Asian longhorned beetle is not allowed to spread and ravage Ohio’s forests and tree population.
As international trade with China has grown, the Asian longhorned beetle has found a safe haven in wood crates traveling to our shores. The Asian longhorned beetle is an invasive species known to be particularly damaging to a variety of trees that are native to Ohio – including maple, birch, and willow. The Asian longhorned beetle’s practice of burrowing within tree trunks also shows them to be resistant to popular extermination techniques, such as chemical sprays.
Ohio is home to over 185,000 acres of state forests, and over 834,000 acres of national forested land. The Wayne National Forest – located only two hours away from the initial finding of Asian longhorned beetles in Ohio – envelopes over 240,000 acres of wildlife habitats, recreation areas, and hardwood trees. The Shawnee State Forest with its 63,000 acres is only one hour away. Without your rapid attention Ohio’s forests and parks could be at serious risk.
Thank you for your prompt decision to survey the affected area. It is imperative that USDA work with state and local officials to develop a comprehensive plan for halting the spread of this pest. I look forward to our continuing work on ensuring the health of Ohio’s trees and forests.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator[[In-content Ad]]
On Friday, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that Clermont County has been designated a quarantine zone to prevent the proliferation of the Asian longhorned beetle.
“As international trade with China increases, the Asian longhorned beetle travels in wood crates to our shores and has the potential to devastate trees and cause wide-spread destruction to Ohio’s wooded lands,” Brown said. “By engaging federal, state, and local resources we can prevent this invasive species from spreading and ravaging Ohio’s forests and tree population.”
Asian longhorned beetles attack several species of trees by tunneling into large branches and the trunk while in its larvae stage and were first discovered in the U.S. in 1996. They enter non-native habitats like Ohio typically through shipping materials coming from Asia.
According to the APHIS, Adult Asian longhorned beetle are usually large, distinctive-looking insects measuring 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, not including antennae. Their white-banded antennae can be as long as the body itself in females and almost twice the body length in males.
Brown sent the following letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Recently, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) determined that Asian longhorned beetle larvae had been found in Ohio. As you know, this invasive species has the potential to devastate trees and cause wide-spread destruction to Ohio’s forested lands. Your prompt assistance and attention is paramount in ensuring the Asian longhorned beetle is not allowed to spread and ravage Ohio’s forests and tree population.
As international trade with China has grown, the Asian longhorned beetle has found a safe haven in wood crates traveling to our shores. The Asian longhorned beetle is an invasive species known to be particularly damaging to a variety of trees that are native to Ohio – including maple, birch, and willow. The Asian longhorned beetle’s practice of burrowing within tree trunks also shows them to be resistant to popular extermination techniques, such as chemical sprays.
Ohio is home to over 185,000 acres of state forests, and over 834,000 acres of national forested land. The Wayne National Forest – located only two hours away from the initial finding of Asian longhorned beetles in Ohio – envelopes over 240,000 acres of wildlife habitats, recreation areas, and hardwood trees. The Shawnee State Forest with its 63,000 acres is only one hour away. Without your rapid attention Ohio’s forests and parks could be at serious risk.
Thank you for your prompt decision to survey the affected area. It is imperative that USDA work with state and local officials to develop a comprehensive plan for halting the spread of this pest. I look forward to our continuing work on ensuring the health of Ohio’s trees and forests.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator[[In-content Ad]]