Questions and Answers About Asian Longhorned
Beetle Control Treatments
Plant Protection and Quarantine
January 2003
Q. What is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doing
to control the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB)?
A. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
with State and local cooperators, treats host trees not infested with
ALB during spring and fall months within quarantine areas.
Uninfested ALB–host trees within a minimum of one-eighth of a
mile from infested tree locations are treated in the ALB- infested areas
of Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. Tree species receiving treatments for potential ALB infestations include maple, birch, horse
chestnut, willow, elm, and ash.
The Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Project is comprised
of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, City of
New York Parks and Recreation, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Chicago
Department of Streets and Sanitation, and New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Q. What insecticide is used?
A. The generic name of the insecticide is imidacloprid, one
of a group of systemic chloronicotinyl insecticides having soil, seed,
and foliar uses for the control of insects, including rice hoppers,
aphids, thrips, whiteflies, termites, turf insects, and some beetles.
Approved for ALB program use, the insecticide has proven to reduce beetle
populations in research completed in China and the United States.
Q. How are the insecticide injections made to the tree?
A. Imidacloprid is applied through either tree trunk or soil
injections under USDA supervision. Trunk injections are applied directly
into the trunk of the tree.
Soil injections are applied directly into the soil around the base
of the tree. The number of injections (trunk or soil) required per tree
is dependent on the size of the tree. Soil injections can be applied
during the spring and fall.
With both methods of injection, the insecticide moves upward into stems,
twigs, and foliage. The intent of the injection treatments is to deliver
the active ingredient of the pesticide quickly from the site of application
to active tree growth areas, where the beetle would be expected to feed
and lay eggs.
Q. Where and when do applications take place?
A. Treatments will be applied to the ALB–infested areas
of New York, Illinois, and New Jersey, beginning early spring and continuing
through July. Fall treatments may also be applied.
For treatment maps in New York, Illinois, and New Jersey review the
ALB Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/alb/alb.html and
select the “Insecticide Imidacloprid” section.
Q. Is this insecticide used for other things?
A. Imidacloprid is most commonly used on rice, cereal, maize,
potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, fruit, cotton, hops, and turf. It
can be used as a seed or soil treatment or applied to foliage. It is
also used in flea treatments for pets and in lawn care to control white
grubs.
More information about imidacloprid is available on the Extension Toxicology
Network Web site (http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/). EXTOXNET is a
pesticide information project of the cooperative extension offices of
Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University,
and the University of California at Davis; major support and funding
are provided by the USDA Extension Services’ National Agricultural
Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.
Q. How does imidacloprid aid in eradicating ALB?
A. When applied to susceptible host plants, imidacloprid can
reduce beetle populations and contain the spread of ALB from currently
infested areas of Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. By doing so, many
valuable ornamental and urban trees will be spared damage and loss.
Q. What previous tests have been done using this insecticide
to control ALB?
A. USDA and Chinese researchers conducted lab and field tests
both in China and the United States. The testing of possible insecticides
with systemic activity against wood-boring beetles showed that imidacloprid was the most effective. The testing indicated that imidacloprid
was effective against adult beetles as they feed on small twigs, and
young larvae as they feed beneath the bark.
Q. How will these treatments affect the environment?
A. The precise placement of injection treatments and the security
employed to ensure precision during applications preclude many potentially
adverse environmental effects. The environment is minimally affected
because imidacloprid residues are restricted to the tree and tree root
area.
Some nontarget insects could be affected by these treatments, but the
effects are anticipated to be temporary. Wildlife is not expected to
be affected.
Q. Can this insecticide help trees already infested with the
beetle?
A. The effectiveness of imidacloprid injections on already
infested trees is not known at this time. Additional research on imidacloprid
and other tools and methods for eradication, trapping, and surveying
are being assessed. Scientists continue to monitor results of this research
to determine if this treatment can help already infested trees. Under
current conditions, all infested trees will be removed and destroyed.
Q. Are tree or soil injections used to treat any other pests
or disease?
A. Both tree and soil injections are used to apply fertilizers
and other insecticides. Pests targeted by these treatments include Japanese
beetles, elm leaf beetles, mealybugs, thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies,
and aphids. In addition, tree injection applications are used to treat
Dutch elm disease, anthracnose, woolly adelgid in hemlocks, and oak
wilt.
Helpful Links
For more information on imidacloprid, go to EXTOXNET at: http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/
For more information on the Asian longhorned beetle, go to: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/alb/alb.html
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in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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