Columbus, Ohio – Families walking the Scioto Mile and cyclists riding the Olentangy Trail are being urged to act immediately if they spot a destructive invasive beetle capable of killing hardwood trees across Central Ohio this spring.
According to the U.S. Forest Service and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Asian longhorned beetle attacks maple, birch, willow, poplar and elm trees. Officials warn the insect tunnels deep into trunks, disrupting nutrient flow and weakening trees long before visible dieback appears.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Highbanks Metro Park and Alum Creek State Park feature mature maples and other hardwoods that shade trails, riverbanks and picnic areas. Similar tree cover lines the Scioto and Olentangy river corridors and extends into neighborhoods throughout Franklin County.
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 or sawdust-like material collecting at the base of trees.
If infestations spread, weakened limbs could snap during strong spring wind events common across Ohio, creating hazards along trails and park roads.
Officials urge residents and park visitors to kill the beetle on sight if safely possible and report sightings immediately to state agriculture authorities. Early detection this season could prevent widespread tree removal and protect Columbus’ urban canopy into summer.
