Chicago, Illinois – Federal officials are urging residents across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan 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 the insect can spread quickly if infestations are not detected early.
The 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 white spots and long black-and-white banded antennae that extend beyond its body. Signs of infestation include round exit holes in tree trunks, sawdust-like material at the base, and thinning or dying branches in the upper canopy.
Hardwood trees are common along residential streets, commuter corridors, parks, and college campuses throughout the Midwest. In previous outbreaks in Illinois and Michigan, eradication efforts required the removal of thousands of trees to prevent further spread, significantly altering neighborhoods and increasing municipal costs.
When trees become weakened, falling limbs can create safety hazards during storms and high winds.
Students, commuters, and homeowners in wooded communities may be among the first to notice signs of damage this spring.
Officials stress that early detection and rapid reporting remain critical to protecting regional forests and urban tree canopies.
