The state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking swimming pool owners to participate in DEC’s annual Asian Longhorned Beetle Swimming Pool Survey. During late summer, Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are active outside of their host tree. The goal of the survey is to locate infestations of these invasive pests before they cause serious damage to the dtate’s forests and street trees.
“The best opportunity to eradicate and limit the spread of invasive species is by finding infestations early, when populations are low,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Swimming pool monitoring is a simple, economical approach to surveying for these pests and gives New Yorkers the chance to take an active role in protecting their communities.”
Until swimming pools are closed for the season, the DEC is asking pool owners to periodically check their filters for insects that resemble the beetle, and report suspects either by emailing photos to [email protected] or mailing insects to DEC’s Forest Health Diagnostics Lab at 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054, Attn: Liam Somers.
People without swimming pools can help the effort by reporting signs of ALB in their communities. The invasive pest beetle:
- Is about 1.5 inches long, black with white spots, and have black and white antennae;
- Leave perfectly round exit holes about the size of a dime in branches and trunks of host trees;
- and create sawdust-like material called frass that collects on branches and around the base of trees.