USDA To Test Insecticide Against Beetle

February 3, 2000

USDA plans to conduct field tests to determine if a systemic insecticide will help stop the spread of the Asian long-horned beetle. The only known way to get rid of the pest now is to remove the infected trees. Field tests on the insecticide will be conducted this spring.

The Asian long-horned beetle is native to China. It bores into healthy hardwood trees, feeds on the living tree tissue during he larval three state and later emerges through an almost half-inch hole. Officials have been forced to remove more than 4,3000 trees in and around New York City and 1,2000 trees in the Chicago area.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has completed an environmental assessment that considers various methods of protection for trees. APHIS is planning to begin field tests of the systemic insecticides this spring and evaluate two methods of delivery of the pesticide: soil and trunk injections.

Comments on the environmental assessment must be received by March 31. Notice was published in the Jan. 31 Federal Register.