A new and potentially serious threat to some of North America’s
most beautiful and popular trees is the Asian Long-horned Beetle
(Anoplophora glabripennis). Native to parts of Asia, the beetle
is believed to have arrived in North America in the wooden
packing material used in cargo shipments from China. Isolated
Asian Long-horned Beetle infestations have been discovered in
Brooklyn and Amityville, New York, and in Chicago, Illinois. In
all instances where Asian Long-horned Beetles have been found,
authorities have reacted quickly to stop the infestation from
spreading. Trees favored by the Asian Long-horned Beetle are
predominantly maples, but infestations have also been discovered
in horse chestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries, black
locusts, and many other varieties. Asian Long-horned Beetles are
very large insects, with bodies ranging from 1 to 1 ½ inches
(2.5-4 cm) in length and with antennae which can be as long as
four inches (10 cm). They are shiny and black with white spots
and have long anten