Work is progressing, but we do not have any silver bullet yet. Continual vigilance and swift spot treatment and removal of infested stock are the only tools at the present . The heaviest defoliation seems to be in pockets in central Penobscot and northern and coastal Washington counties and from Sherman to Westfield in Aroostook county. The areas are now being mapped. We continue to receive numerous calls on the browning of black locust across southern Maine due to the feeding of larvae of this species.
Populations are the highest and most extensive seen so far.
In spite of the browning most locust trees should, however, survive the onslaught. It is also currently spreading in the Province of Quebec. These agreements with importing facilities will insure that the bark is handled and utilized in a safe and timely manner to prevent the spread of this beetle in our state. This action will also prevent the entire state of Maine and associated pine products from becoming subject to federal quarantine. As hunting season approaches, keep in mind that the numbers of ticks encountered usually rises.