Spokane, Washington – Hikers heading to Riverside State Park or biking the Centennial Trail this spring are being urged to act immediately if they spot a destructive invasive beetle that can wipe out hardwood trees across the Spokane area.
According to the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Asian longhorned beetle attacks and kills maple, birch, willow, poplar and elm trees. Officials warn that infestations can spread quickly in clustered park environments if not reported early.
Riverside State Park, Mount Spokane State Park and conservation areas near Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake feature stands of maple and other hardwoods along riverbanks, trailheads and campgrounds. These trees provide shade, stabilize soil along the Spokane River and frame heavily used hiking and equestrian routes.
The beetle is glossy black with bright white spots and long black-and-white banded antennae that extend beyond its body. Visitors may notice perfectly round exit holes in trunks, sawdust-like material collecting at the base of trees or thinning branches high in the canopy.
If infestations expand, weakened limbs could snap during Inland Northwest wind events, increasing hazards along trails and picnic areas.
Officials urge park visitors to kill the beetle on sight if safely possible and report sightings immediately to state agriculture authorities. Early action this spring could prevent large-scale tree removals and protect Spokane’s park landscapes into summer.
