Dear Community Member,

The New York Cooperative Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program is in the midst of a battle with the tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in your area. Federal, State and City agencies are teaming up with community associations, environmental interest groups and the general public to engage as many "extra eyes" as possible to find adult ALBs and signs of infestations. This insect poses a great threat to our Northeastern hardwood forests as well as our urban environment. Since 1996, over 5,000 trees in New York State have been destroyed due to Asian longhorned beetle infestation. From June through the first hard frost, adults emerge from infest trees where they have developed during the winter. Now is the time of year to gather information and ask questions so you can be ready to help eradicate this pest.

ALB devastates hardwood trees and has been found in Chicago, Illinois, New York City and Long Island. It is important to identify infested trees and to remove them from the environment before additional trees fall prey to this destructive wood pest. Trees infested with ALB will die eventually. With your help, we may be able to protect other trees on your property or in your neighborhood. Inspections are conducted from the ground by staff using binoculars, and in the upper canopies of the trees by tree climbers and inspectors in bucket trucks. Inspections are also conducted on host trees on any rooftop and balcony gardens In the neighborhoods where beetles have been found. The preferred ALB host trees In New York are maple (Acer spp.), elm (Ulmus spp.), horsechestnut (Aesculus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.).

We need your help to ensure that residents, organizations, and the general public in quarantine areas are aware of the ongoing effort to save our environment from this invasive pest. Humans may unintentionally help to spread the beetle by movement of wood (particularly firewood) that contains larvae hidden inside. Do not move wood or wood products of host trees (maple, elms, birch, horsechestnut, willows, poplars and ash) from quarantine areas. There are quarantine zones In Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of southeastern Nassau and southwestern Suffolk counties.

Please contact the project in New York at the phone numbers listed below if you have any questions or if you would like materials or more information about ALB, symptoms of infestation n host trees, and the eradication program In the State. Employees of USDA's Pent Protection and Quarantine Program, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the City of New York Parks and Recreation Department are working together to provide informational flyers and conduct educational workshops.

Also, please remember: Federal, State and City inspectors may be working in your area. If inspectors need access to a property, they win make contact with the resident and ask permission. Please secure dogs while the inspectors are on the property. If you are not home when our Inspectors visit, they win leave a notice on your door. Please call the office number indicated and schedule a date and time when inspectors may access your property. Prompt response will help us to stop the spread of this devastating insect.

If you find this insect, see trees showing symptoms of infestation, or have questions about the project, you may call the following numbers:

1-8OO-201-PARK
(City of New York Parks and Recreation Department hotline)

I-800-554-4501 ext. 72087
New York State Department of Agriculture & Market's
Asian longhorned beetle hotline

631-598-5943
New York Cooperative ALB Program Headquarters - Amityville office.

Web Links - Additional Online Information
Asian longhorned beetle photos and information may be found on-line at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/alb/alb.html or www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/alb/

Thank you for your collaboration in saving our natural resources.

Sincerely,
The New York Cooperative Asian Longhorned Beetle Project