[getsmart-l] Illinois is the first state able to declare victory over the Asian Longhorned Beetle

[John O'Gorman]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/901185,beetle041708.article
Ill. victorious over invasive Asian beetle

BY KARA SPAK Staff Reporter Chicago Sun Times April 17/08

The Asian longhorned beetle, the tiny scourge of Chicago’s trees, is no longer in the city or the state of Illinois, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday.
Illinois is the first state able to declare victory over the invasive species, which destroyed more than 1,400 maple, birch, elm and poplar trees in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood alone. The beetle was also spotted in Kilbourn Park, at O’Hare Airport and in suburban Park Ridge, Addison and Summit.

» Click to enlarge image
 
The last infestation by the Asian longhorned beetle was in 2003. 

“We saw blocks and blocks and blocks where these huge trees were all taken down,” said Ald. Gene Schulter (47th). “It was just absolutely devastating.”
Schulter said for every tree taken down as part of eradication efforts, two were planted in its place. Maple trees, a particular favorite of the shiny black insect with black-and-white striped antenna, can once again be safely planted, Schulter said.

In a news release, the USDA said the first Asian longhorned beetle was spotted in Ravenswood in 1998. The last infestation was in Oz Park in 2003, the USDA said.
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