New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is asking pool owners and operators to be on the look-out for the invasive and destructive Asian Longhorned Beetles.

Asian Longhorned beetles are most active during late summer, when they emerge as adults from their host trees. If they are in the area, its likely they will end up in the pool, where they can be found in the skimmer basket. The DEC is asking pool owners and operators to look for the beetles in pool filter and skimmer baskets, and if found, photograph any insect that is suspected of being an Asian Longhorned Beetle and send the photo (include the beetle’s back) to the DEC. Send via email with your name and address to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Include “ALB Pool Survey” in the subject line.

You can also mail a printed image to the Forest Health Diagnostic Lab at 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054.

If possible, save the insect by freezing it in a plastic bag or container.

Here are some characteristics of the Asian long-horned beetles: They are 1.5 inches long with black with white spots, and a black and white antennae.

They leave round, dime size exit holes in host tree branches and trunks, creating a sawdust-like material called frass that collects on branches and around the base of trees. These wood-boring beetles are native toAsia and were accidentally introduced to the U.S. through wood-packing materials.

They attack a variety of hardwoods, including maples, birches, and willows, and have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the country.

The New York State Department of Agriculture successfully eradicated the beetle from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Islip, and Queens.

The beetle is still actively managed in central Long Island, and there are active infestations in Massachusetts, Ohio, and South Carolina.

The more “eyes” looking for infestations, the better the chance of finding new ones early and eliminating them. YOU are the key to keeping our forests free of ALB!