Chicago, Illinois – Residents across Illinois and Ohio are being urged to act immediately as a destructive invasive beetle spreads through the Midwest this spring, with the potential to kill thousands of hardwood trees in urban neighborhoods within weeks if not contained.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Asian longhorned beetle attacks maple, birch, elm, willow, and poplar trees by boring into trunks and cutting off vital nutrients. Officials warn infestations can expand quickly along residential streets, parks, and commuter corridors, especially in densely populated areas like Chicago, Cleveland, and Columbus.
State agriculture and forestry agencies are directing residents to kill the beetle on sight and report sightings within 24 hours to help slow the spread. The insect is identifiable by its glossy black body with white spots and long, black-and-white banded antennae that extend beyond its body.
Communities from northern Illinois suburbs to central Ohio are at heightened risk, particularly in areas lined with mature hardwood trees. Past outbreaks in Illinois led to the removal of thousands of trees, increasing municipal costs and leaving neighborhoods more vulnerable to storm damage and summer heat.
Officials stress that early detection remains critical through the spring, with additional alerts possible as monitoring efforts continue across both states.
