ALB Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 5 (4/5/2010)

This is Volume 2, Issue 5 (4/5/2010) of the ALB Newsletter, your link to the latest information about the Asian longhorned beetle, brought to you by the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP).

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Recent News

• Connecticut has updated state regulations to address the possible introduction of wood infested with Asian longhorned beetle or emerald ash borer (pp. 4-7).
• The Governor of Maine signed a bill banning the import of firewood unless it is kiln-dried, in order to prevent the spread of Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer. (MPBN)
• Starting April 5th, USDA will be treating trees in Brooklyn and Queens, NY as part of on-going efforts to eradicate ALB.
• The USDA has proposed a Massachusetts study to test the effectiveness of soil treatment in protecting nursery stock from ALB.
• Researchers conducting field work in China have had success using a pheromone to attract male Asian longhorned beetles.
• The Berkshire Eagle recently published a story about ALB that highlights the need for ongoing vigilance.
• Owners of a tree company recently received probation and were required to pay court fees for transporting wood out of the Massachusetts ALB quarantine zone. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• The UK is taking steps to deal with citrus longhorned beetle introduction via imports of nursery stock from Holland. (Horticulture Week)

Other News

• Middle school students recently won a prize at the Worcester Science and Engineering Fair for a project about Asian longhorned beetle. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• The Worcester Tree Initiative will plant a (non-host) tree in the ALB quarantine zone for every $50 donation received.
• The Worcester EcoTarium recently celebrated April Fool's Day by dressing their stegosaurus in an ALB costume.

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities:

• Are you organizing a Biodiversity Day or BioBlitz event in Massachusetts? The Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources will send you free ALB id cards and other materials.
• The Worcester Tree Initiative will hold Asian longhorned beetle tree replanting Train the Trainer events at MA Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester on April 6th and May 6th, both from 5-7pm.
• There will be a free talk, "Vermont's Three Most Unwanted Forest Insect Pests," in Manchester, VT Tuesday, April 6 at 6pm, recert credits available.
• Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will provide information about ALB to farmers during Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House on April 8th.
• MDAR will have a table at Down:2:Earth, a sustainable living expo, from April 9th-11th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Stop by for free ALB magnets and bookmarks!
• The Nature Conservancy in Western MA is now hiring an Outreach Intern to provide education about ALB & other forest pests.

Past Events:

• Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources recently gave a talk about the Asian longhorned beetle at Wheaton College in Norton, MA.
• MDAR staff recently gave a presentation about ALB at the 2010 Yankee District Rose Society Convention in Taunton, MA.

Regulated Area

• Most recent regulated area map (from 9/23/2009)

General Information

• The latest maps, fact sheets, and information can be found at the official website of the Massachusetts ALB Cooperative Eradication Program
• UMass Extension’s ALB page
• Asian Longhorned Beetle page from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Get this news as it happens with the ALB Twitter feed

This is the ALB Newsletter from the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP). Visit our website for more information (http://www.massnrc.org/pests), or to sign up to receive this newsletter by email (http://massnrc.org/pests/signup.aspx).

DISCLAIMER: The listing of hyperlinks in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. MIPOP makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of any of these links.