Sep 4, 2008 6:19 pm US/Eastern
Extreme Plan Proposed To Rid Worcester Of Beetles
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
-
-
Asian Longhorned Beetle (File Image)
WBZ
The beetle battle in Worcester is entering a new phase. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is injecting trees seriously infested by
Asian Longhorned Beetle with double doses of pesticide. WBZ's Ron Sanders reports that will allow scientists to cut the trees down sooner than the first frost and learn how long the beetles have been doing their destructive work.
Phillip Lewis, PhD, a U.S.D.A. entomologist, finished injecting about 16 of Worcester's most seriously infested trees with double shots of the pesticide Imidacloprid this afternoon as part of a pilot program to kill Asian Longhorned Beetles which threaten billions of dollars in damage to lumber, maple syrup and related industries. "So the dose we're giving the trees is two times the normal dose we would give for the program," explained Lewis.
The method, successfully tested in China where the beetles are believed to have originated, will allow scientists to cut down some trees within weeks, without spreading the bugs, to look at growth rings and determine how long the beetles have been here. Five to six years is the current estimate.
But the U.S.D.A. is quick to point out this is not an alternative to eradication which could involve cutting down infested trees and all susceptible hardwoods within a quarter mile of each infested one. So far, 40 have been found in Worcester, one in West Boylston. "I started seeing' more and more and I'm like, 'what is going' on with this bug?'" said Donna Massie who first reported the beetles she found in her yard to the U.S.D.A. August first. "I had shirts printed-up...you know, these are for sale. They're informational... because most people will not see this beetle."
Donna says her main message to convince her neighbors and other people in the quarantined area to check their trees.
The
City of Worcester today opened a drop-off area for tree services and other contractors who remove trees within the quarantined area. It's located at Arrarat Street and Frontage Road and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Contractors who use the site are required to be certified and trained. Training sessions will be offered next Wednesday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments