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Exotic Forest Insects
Article #213, August 2014

     Exotic pests are one of the more serious threats to forest health.  While few exotics pose serious challenges, there are some insects, diseases, and plants that do.  Eradication is possible if small infestations can be detected early.

     In this article series, the more serious exotic forest pests will be reviewed.  Over 40,000 exotic species have been introduced into North America and most have proven to be useful to humans and benign to the natural environment.  Most exotic introductions fail to establish, but some have grown invasive and damaging.
     Among the exotic forest insect pests, two borers and two adelgids are of particular note.  However, there are about three dozen important species. 
     The Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB) (Anoplophora glabripennis) has not yet been identified in Michigan.  The nearest infestation is near Cincinnati, Ohio.  An infestation near Chicago was eradicated.  However, there is a large infestation around Worcester, Massachusetts.  Current information can be had on a USDA website. 
     The ALHB is a large and robust beetle, an inch or more in length, black with white spots, and antennae of alternate white (bluish) and black segments.  It’s larger than our native wood borers, but a couple of our natives might be mistaken for ALHB. 
     These borers prefer maple species (sugar, red, silver, and boxelder) but have a long list of menu choices.  Exit holes of the emerging adults are about a half-inch in diameter.  The larvae chew their way through the wood of the tree.  Weakened branches can fall, damaging property and potentially injuring people. 
     The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is now familiar to most Michigan residents and the EAB range includes much of the greater Midwest and Northeastern states.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development maintains a quarantine program.   
     The EAB kills only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.).  The half-inch long adult is bright green and might be confused with predatory tiger beetles and common Polydrusus weevils.  The larvae form serpentine tunnels under the bark, but do not bore into the wood.  The adults emerge from D-shaped exit holes. 
     The EAB first affects the tops of trees, and then works downward.  Decline can be evident over several growing seasons.  Woodpecker activity may indicate numerous larvae.  The trees will often send up sprouts from the tree base. 
     The national ash resource is threatened by this exotic beetle.  In Michigan, about five percent of the statewide forest volume is ash.  More importantly to many, a large share of residential and park trees are ash.  Loss of these trees results in significant visual impact.  The EAB has been, so far, the most expensive forest pest with damages of nearly two billion dollars. 
     The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae) and balsam woolly adelgid (BWA) (Adelges piceae) appear very similar but damage only their respective tree species.  Adelgids are tiny insects that insert a long stylus (feeding tube) into the twig and feed on the tree juices.  They cover themselves with a protective white “woolly” coating, sort of like tiny moth balls.  The adelgids concentrate near the bases of the needles. 
     Neither of these adelgids has become established in Michigan, although three infestations of the HWA have been eradicated (hopefully).  Introductions have been traced to nursery stock from eastern states where the insect has become well established. 
     About 30, from over 400, exotic insect species have caused significant forest health problems in North America.  More information about Michigan forest pests can be found on the Upper Peninsula Tree Identification website and the Michigan DNR Forest Health website.

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Trailer
Bill Cook is an MSU Extension forester providing educational programming for the Upper Peninsula. His office is located at the MSU Forest Biomass Innovation Center near Escanaba. The Center is the headquarters for three MSU Forestry properties in the U.P., with a combined area of about 8,000 acres. He can be reached at cookwi@msu.edu or 906-786-1575.

Prepared by Bill Cook, Forester/Biologist, Michigan State University Extension, 6005 J Road, Escanaba, MI  49829
906-786-1575 (voice),  906-786-9370 (fax),  e-mail:  cookwi@msu.edu

Use / reprinting of these articles is encouraged. Please notify Bill Cook.
By-line should read "Bill Cook, MSU Extension" Please use the article trailer whenever possible.

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