Officials Urge Michigan Residents to Watch for Tree-Killing Beetle

Michigan residents are being asked to watch for an invasive insect that can quickly destroy hardwood trees and change the look of neighborhoods and forests across the state.

What Is the Asian Longhorned Beetle?

The Michigan Invasive Species Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are urging residents to look for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), which feeds on tree trunks and branches.

Why Early Detection Matters

The Asian longhorned beetle is a wood-boring insect considered invasive in Michigan and North America because it attacks at least 12 types of hardwood trees. During colder months, the larvae feed inside tree trunks and branches, creating tunnels as they grow. In warmer months, adult beetles chew their way out, leaving visible exit holes.

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According to the Huron Daily Tribune, the insect creates holes in trees that are approximately three-eighths to one-half inch in diameter. Trees that are infested do not recover from the damage and eventually die.

In other parts of the country, isolated outbreaks of the Asian longhorned beetle have led to the loss of thousands of trees in neighborhoods, parks, and woodlands. While Michigan has not yet confirmed the pest’s presence, state officials say early detection is key to protecting forests, urban greenery, and even industries like maple syrup production from potentially devastating damage.

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