The Asian Longhorned Beetle is Identified in Worcester
- Date Range
- 2008 – 2008
- Title
- The Asian Longhorned Beetle is Identified in Worcester
- What occurred
- The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is an invasive species of insect that feeds on hardwood trees and can cause significant damage to tree populations. In 2008, it was discovered that the ALB had infested trees throughout the city of Worcester. Researchers discovered that the species had arrived over a decade before they realized it was there and had been infesting trees for years. This outbreak was the worst in the country and caused around $24 million in damage in Worcester alone, with over 30,000 trees being removed. Worcester was hit particularly hard by the ALB because the city had a very high amount of tree cover and most of these trees were Norway maples which were a main part of the ALB diet. This crisis changed the way that Worcester managed its forests and changed the landscape of the city dramatically.
- Location
- 10 Grove Street, Worcester MA 01609
- Image Citation
- https://www.colonialpest.com/asian-longhorned-beetle-update-new-eradication-program-begin/
- Student name(s)
- Jackie Anderson