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ALB--We ARE the First Line of Defense


RufusClupea

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I scanned the forum archives for this topic--found mention, but no real discussion (though I could have missed it).

Many of us know about this, but for those who may not (and as a reminder to those who do), The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is threatening the hardwood forests we love (and hide caches in) in the Northeastern US and Southeastern Canada (among others).  Their preferred hosts/food include:  maple, birch, elm, ash, poplar, horsechestnut, and willow, among others.

buggiftest1.gif?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

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Since maples are a preferred host for ALB, the spread of the beetle into the rest of the state would mean devastating impacts to the maple syrup industry through the loss of healthy sugar bush. Maples are also a valuable hardwood for furniture, flooring, and other uses. Larval galleries through the heartwood may degrade the wood enough to make it useless for milling, costing the forest products industry billions of dollars. The larval galleries also compromise the structural integrity of the tree resulting in falling limbs and trunks under heavy rain, snow or wind pressure. Removing these hazard trees in parks and towns would be expensive and have serious impacts on property values and tourism.  -- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Please don't make the mistake of assuming that if the maps don't show them in your vicinity that we need not be concerned or vigilant.  These buggers have wings; they can fly and spread more quickly than we might imagine.  Since the only countermeasure is destroying any infested host, if left unchecked, it could result in widespread wholesale deforestation.

What can we--as Geocachers--do?  A LOT.  As frequenters/enjoyers of the forests--armed with GPSrs/Smartphones & apps--we are (moreso than the average muggle) the First Line of Defense against these destructive invaders.

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If you believe you have found ALB…

  • Take pictures of the infestation signs as described above (include something for scale such as a coin or ruler).
  • Note the location (intersecting roads, landmarks or GPS coordinates).
  • Contact DEC Forest Health (see below) or your local Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) by visiting New York Invasive Species Information website (leaves DEC website)
  • Call the ALB tip line at 1-866-702-9938
  • Report the infestation to iMapInvasives (leaves DEC website)  -- Ibid.

More Pics of ALB (for aid in identification)
United States Department of Agriculture APHIS -- Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB)
NYS DEC -- Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB)
Asian Longhorned Beetle: First Line of Defense -- Youtube Video

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ADDENDUM:

We went caching near Hemlock Lake today (Hemlock Lake is the primary water supply for much of Rochester, NY)--beauty-full area--and saw one of these labels attached to a tree at the trail head. 

59b8c75d6cccb_ALBTag.jpg.fd79e1b71dbc48171cefd893c6b9ef59.jpg

We don't know if it meant something specific (e.g. tagging the tree as infested or for removal) or what, but it's the first We've seen in this area.  It sent chills down our spines.

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