The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service (APHIS) needs your help in detecting and preventing the spread of the Asian 

longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), a serious pest of hardwood trees.

Asian longhorned beetles have been found, or an infestation of the pest has 

been detected, in or near your local area. USDA employees are currently working 

with agencies in your State to survey the area and, if there is a beetle infestation, 

determine the extent of the infestation. These survey crews may ask to inspect 

trees in your yard and will appreciate your cooperation as they work to prevent the 

spread of the Asian longhorned beetle, also called the ALB. If trees in your yard or 

near your home are dead or dying, and you suspect that this is being caused by the 

ALB, please notify the survey crews or call the local ALB program office. Contact 

information is provided on the reverse side.

While the ALB does not pose a risk to human health and will not harm pets, this 

pest is extremely dangerous to hardwood trees. It is known to attack and kill 

healthy maple trees, as well as horsechestnut, poplar, willow, elm, birch, ash, and 

other hardwood species.

The ALB is a large, bullet-shaped beetle. Its body is approximately 1 to 1-1/2 

inches long and is shiny black with white spots. The ALB’s antennae are banded in 

black and white, and its feet are black, sometimes with a bluish upper surface. 

Signs of Infestation

The white, wormlike immature beetles (larvae) bore into tree trunks and branches, 

causing heavy sap flow from wounds and accumulations of brown sawdust or 

pencil shaving-like material at the base of trees or on limbs and branches. Adult 

Figure 1. The Asian longhorned beetle. 

Be on the Lookout for the 

Asian Longhorned Beetle
beetles emerge from trees during the summer months, leaving round exit holes in 

the bark that are one-fourth of an inch or larger (dime-sized). Yellowed leaves and 

leaf drop are other signs that the ALB may be present.

Containing the Pest

We need your help to stop the spread of this tree-killing pest. One of the most 

common ways ALB and other exotic pests can spread into new areas is when 

people unintentionally move infested plant materials. To prevent this from 

happening, please do not move firewood or other cut wood, stumps, or hardwood 

nursery stock from infested areas. 

Search and Report

If you see beetles or other signs of ALB infestation, or if you have questions about 

ALB control and eradication efforts, please call 1-866-702-9938, your State 

department of agriculture, or the ALB program in your state.

• Ohio: 1-513-381-7180 

Massachusetts: 1-508-852-8090 

• New York: 1-631-598-5943 or 1-877-STOP-ALB

Go to www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/alb for more information.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Photo Credits: All photos were either taken by USDA employees or 

are part of the APHIS photo collection.

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 1592 

Issued June 2010

Slightly revised June 2016

Figure 2. A tree trunk with multiple egg sites. Figure 3. A tree trunk with multiple exit holes.