ODA Releasing Approximately 4,000 Acres From Asian Longhorned Beetle Quarantine

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the removal of a significant portion of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) quarantine area in Clermont County-marking encouraging progress in Ohio's effort against the invasive species.

The newly released 6.2-square-mile area includes the southeast portion of Tate Township south of State Route 125. This removal represents the third reduction in regulations since the initial quarantine was established in 2011. ALB was first discovered in Tate Township in 2011, and since then, 118,306 infested trees have been removed to prevent the pest's spread. ODA and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continue their partnership through the Ohio ALB Cooperative Eradication Program, which has produced strong results in limiting the beetle's impact.

ODA Director Brian Baldridge and staff held an event for stakeholders from its ALB Eradication Program Office in Bethel to share an update on the progress made and what's ahead for the program.

"ODA and USDA have worked tirelessly to fight this destructive pest," Baldridge said. "Releasing another section of the quarantine zone is a clear sign that our collective efforts are paying off. We remain committed to protecting Ohio's forests, communities, and industries from the long-term damage ALB can cause."

ALB poses a major threat to Ohio's hardwood forests and the state's nursery industry. The pest is an invasive wood-boring beetle that targets 12 hardwood species in Ohio, including maples, elms, birches, willows, and Ohio's state tree, the buckeye. The beetle bores tunnels as it feeds and emerges as an adult usually around mid-summer. Infested trees eventually die but also serve as a breeding location for more beetles, leading to further spread. Additionally, the boring activity makes those infested trees hazardous as weakened branches or whole trees fall, particularly during storms.

The beetle can be easily recognized by its distinct appearance:

• Black and white antennae longer than its body
• Shiny black body with white spots, approximately 1" to 1½" long
• Six legs with bluish-tinted feet

Possible signs of infestation include dime-sized round exit holes in trunks or branches; shallow oval or round egg-site scars; coarse sawdust-like wood shavings, also known as frass, on branches or at the base of trees; and dead or falling branches from an otherwise healthy-looking tree.

As a reminder, 37.8 square miles in Clermont County remain under quarantine, including portions of Tate Township, East Fork State Park, and East Fork Wildlife Area. Under quarantine regulations, certain materials may not be moved out of the area without a compliance agreement, permit, or certificate. Regulated items include firewood (all hardwood species), nursery stock and logs from host species, branches, and other woody materials a half inch or more in diameter.

For more information, please visit ODA's ALB webpage.