Country: United States

Title: Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian Longhorned Beetle) – Eradicated from Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, Massachusetts

Contact:
Robyn Rose, National Policy Manager, at 301-851-2283

Report: Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is declaring eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, Massachusetts, thereby releasing them from quarantine. Since 2010, APHIS has worked with its Commonwealth partners to complete extensive survey, control, and regulatory activities in these areas to eradicate ALB from Massachusetts.

APHIS determined that these counties can be removed from quarantine after program efforts resulted in three years of negative surveys of host plants within the regulated areas. The Federal Order immediately rescinds the regulated area in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, Massachusetts, for ALB. As a result of this action, no remaining ALB regulated areas exist in Boston or Brookline, Massachusetts.

ALB is a destructive wood-boring pest of maple and other hardwoods. ALB was first discovered in the United States in Brooklyn, New York in August 1996. Subsequent ALB finds occurred in Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio. However, ALB has been eradicated after the completion of control and regulatory activities and confirmation surveys in Illinois; New Jersey; and Islip, Manhattan, and Staten Island, New York.

Under IPPC Standards, Anoplophora glabripennis is considered a pest that is absent: eradicated from Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, Massachusetts in the United States.
 

Posted Date: May 22, 2014, 9 a.m.