The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), together with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, is announcing plans for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) eradication efforts taking place in 2017.

Program officials will continue to survey tree species preferred by the beetle, called host trees, within the regulated areas. Surveys are conducted year-round by specially trained federal, state and contracted ground survey crews and tree climbers. As infested host trees are detected throughout the year, they will be removed, and high-risk host tree removals will be evaluated as needed. Program officials will not apply insecticide treatments as part of the eradication efforts this year because surveys and infested tree removals remain the priority, but the use of insecticide treatment applications is evaluated annually. Program staff continue to monitor for the beetle's presence inside and outside the regulated areas, respond to service calls, conduct training sessions for compliance agreements, and perform outreach.

Currently, 308 square miles are under quarantine for ALB in the United States; 110 square miles of which are in Worcester County, which includes West Boylston, Boylston, Shrewsbury, and a portion of Holden and Auburn.

To avoid spreading the beetle, people and businesses may not move regulated items out of an ALB quarantine area without a compliance agreement, permit, or certificate according to federal and state laws. If businesses or individuals conduct commercial work on regulated articles, they must enter into a compliance agreement with the ALB eradication program in their state to move items to approved sites. Before entering into an agreement, they need to attend free compliance training. To register for the training, please call: 508-852-8110 if you work in Massachusetts.

USDA and its partners are conducting various research projects to learn more about the beetle, including regulatory treatments for wood and nursery stock, chip size and grinding techniques to deregulate ALB host materials, and traps to lure adult beetles. USDA APHIS is also studying how quickly the insect spreads on its own and its host tree preference and range and is conducting DNA analysis and various behavioral experiments.

ALB is a serious insect pest of certain hardwood tree species, with the potential to cause significant economic and environmental impacts if allowed to establish and spread throughout the United States. Residents are encouraged to inspect their trees for signs of damage caused by the insect and report any suspicious findings. For more information about the beetle and program activities, please call the ALB toll free hotline at 1-866-702-9938 or visit www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb.