ALB Information Session Thursday March 10, 7 pm Rahway Public Library

August 19, 2004

RAHWAY BATTLES ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLES

RAHWAY – Mayor James Kennedy announced today that the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect that can cause massive damage to many species of trees in Rahway, has been discovered along the city’s eastern border with Woodbridge Township. As a precautionary measure, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has instituted a quarantine zone that includes a sizeable portion of the first, fourth and fifth wards in the city as well as sections of Woodbridge, Carteret and Linden. Effective immediately, firewood and scrap wood must not be transported outside of the quarantine zone. Tree services in the area have been contacted by the NJDA and informed of the specific handling of wood products from any tree trimmed or cut down within the quarantine zone.

The quarantine zone in Rahway begins at the intersection of East Inman and Leesville Avenues; northwest along East Inman Avenue to New Brunswick Avenue; northeast along New Brunswick Avenue to Main Street; north along Main Street to Elizabeth Avenue; northeast along Elizabeth Avenue to the Rahway-Linden border; south along the Rahway-Linden border to the Rahway River; south along the Woodbridge-Rahway border to Randolph Avenue; west along Randolph Avenue following the Rahway-Woodbridge Border to East Inman and Leesville Avenues.

The beetle, native to China and North Korea, can wreak havoc on hardwood trees such as maples, chestnuts, birches and elms. The female bores into the bark to lay her eggs. Once hatched, the grub-like young burrow deeper into the tree until finally reaching the woody tissue. The beetles colonize the tree until it is killed from the inside out.

Asian longhorned beetles have caused serious tree losses in New York State and Chicago, but have been found attacking trees only once before in New Jersey. In October 2002, an area within 1½ miles of a 9-acre site in Jersey City was quarantined to prevent the spread of the insect. More than 100 infested trees at that site were removed to eliminate the beetle.

Asian longhorned beetles are about 1 to 1.5 inches long and have a shiny black exterior with white spots. Their name comes from their long antennae, which are banded black and white. The beetles typically attack one tree, and migrate to others when their populations become too dense. They do not bite and pose no direct threat to humans or pets.

Signs of Asian longhorned beetle infestation include:

• Large round holes anywhere on the tree, including branches, trunk and exposed roots;

• Oval or rounded, darkened wounds in the bark;

• Large piles of coarse sawdust around the base of trees or where branches meet the main stem.

Anyone suspecting the presence of this beetle should contact the NJDA at 1-866-BEETLE-1 or (609) 292-5440. For more information, visit the APHIS Web site and click on Asian longhorned beetle under “Hot Issues” or visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension and click on Asian Long-Horned Beetle under “Plant Agriculture.”

On August 19, NJDA representatives met with Fourth Ward Councilman Dave Brown and city officials to learn how to identify the beetle and what will be done about it.

“In the coming weeks, NJDA inspectors will be visiting public and private property in Rahway to examine trees for the presence of the beetle,” said Kennedy. “Left unchecked, the beetle has the potential to cause more damage than Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight and the gypsy moth combined.”

Diane Leonard, a USDA tree-mapping specialist, said residents might notice small orange dots painted on trees that have been examined by tree-climbers. That dot simply indicates the tree has been inspected, and should not be seen as a sign of infestation or that the tree will have to be removed.

“We’re not yet sure how many trees will have to be removed from public and private property in Rahway,” said Kennedy. “We have been informed that they will be removed by the state Department of Agriculture. The Department is also presently securing federal funds to replace any trees removed due to Asian longhorned beetle infestation.”

More information on the Asian longhorned beetle and what you can do about it will also be posted on Comcast channel 34 and local newspapers.