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The Michigan DNR is reminding residents to take 10 minutes to check their trees this month. August is Tree Check Month. This is the best time of the year to spot the round, drill-like holes made by the Asian longhorned beetle. Jeff Zimmer, acting Director of MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division said, “These destructive pests have invaded areas of Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts, causing the removal of over 180,000 trees. In order to prevent this in Michigan, the department is asking everyone to look for and report signs of the Asian longhorned beetle.” The DNR also said to look out for look-alikes. There is a similar beetle native to Michigan and is often mistaken for the Asian longhorned beetle. The white-spotted pine sawyer has a distinctive white spot below the base of its head – between the tops of its wing covers. This and its brown or dull black color distinguish the sawyer from the Asian longhorned beetle. If you find evidence of one, you can notify either the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the MDARD by calling or going online.
