Tallahassee, Florida – Federal officials are urging residents across Florida and Alabama to kill an invasive beetle on sight as it threatens hardwood trees this spring.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) attacks and kills maple trees along with other hardwood species, including birch, elm, willow, poplar, and horse chestnut. Officials warn infestations can spread quickly if not identified early.
The agency’s directive is direct: if the beetle is found, it should be destroyed immediately and reported to state agricultural or forestry authorities.
The insect is identifiable by its glossy black body with distinct white spots and long black-and-white banded antennae extending beyond its body. Signs of infestation include perfectly round exit holes in trunks, sawdust-like material at the base of trees, and thinning or dying branches in the canopy.
While maple trees are more common in northern parts of Alabama and parts of North Florida, several other susceptible hardwood species are found across urban neighborhoods, state parks, college campuses, and suburban developments throughout both states.
If left unchecked, infestations can weaken tree structures, increasing the risk of falling limbs during tropical storms, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms common across the Southeast.
Past outbreaks in other regions have required the removal of thousands of trees to prevent spread, significantly altering community landscapes and increasing municipal costs.
Students, homeowners, and commuters traveling through heavily wooded areas may be among the first to notice signs of damage this spring.
Officials stress that early detection and rapid reporting remain critical to protecting Southeastern hardwood ecosystems.
