News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Maureen Wren, 518-402-8000

DEC Reports

No New Asian Longhorned Beetle Detections since Last Year’s Control Effort on Prall’s Island

ALBANY, NY (07/16/2008; 1623)(readMedia)-- A recent survey of Prall's Island in New York City has revealed no detections of the Asian longhorned beetle. This is one year following the initial discovery of the invasive exotic insect on the island, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) officials announced today. An Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) infestation was discovered on Prall's Island in March 2007 and an intensive control effort was immediately implemented to prevent the further dispersal of the infestation

Asian longhorned beetles are wood-boring insects that attack a variety of hardwood species including maple, birch, elm, poplar, horse chestnut, and willow. Upon hatching, ALB larvae tunnel through the heartwood of a host tree until fully grown, when they burrow out of the trunk as an adult beetle. This process kills the host tree. Native to East Asia, this invasive species has the potential to cause millions of dollars of damage to commercial forests and to devastate forest habitats across the state. A picture and more information about the insect can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7255.html on the DEC website.

Prall's Island is an 80-acre uninhabited island located between Staten Island and northern New Jersey. Owned by the City of New York, the island is managed by the City's Department of Parks & Recreation (NYCDPR). In March 2007, inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) surveyed the island and found many host trees on the island infested with ALB. Later surveys also revealed that some trees along the adjacent shore of Staten Island were also infested. Officials believe the beetle arrived on Prall's Island from a nearby infestation in New Jersey, prior to the discovery and control of that infestation in 2006.

"This beetle had been able to use Prall's Island to reach the mainland of Staten Island," said Robert Davies, Director of NYSDEC's Division of Lands and Forests and New York State Forester. "In response, we joined with our partners at APHIS, NYCDPR, and NYSDAM to launch an intensive program designed to address the existing infestation and help prevent the beetle from becoming established on Staten Island and beyond."

Because of the ecological and economic dangers to Staten Island and the rest of New York State of an unchecked infestation, officials implemented a strategic program to remove target tree species on Prall's Island and the nearby areas of Staten Island to prevent the beetle's spread. Removed trees ranged from saplings to mature specimens, with the average size being approximately four inches in diameter.

On Prall's and Staten islands, known and potential host trees and saplings were cut down, and the wood was chipped to destroy any beetle larvae. Trees and saplings were removed within ½ mile of the known infestation area, and potential host trees within a one-mile range of the area were chemically treated to repel the beetle. A minimum of three consecutive years of chemical treatments are required for effective control, provided no additional infestations are detected in the area. Treatments have been applied in 2007 and 2008. Additional resources are needed for the program to complete surveys on all the host trees within the infested area, located within the 1 ½ mile boundary, in order to determine if any additional infested trees are remaining. Due to the limitations of visual surveys, four years of negative survey is necessary in order to determine if the ALB has successfully been eradicated from the area.

Pratt Paper, Inc. of Staten Island voluntarily contributed to last year's invasive species control efforts by allowing the company's nearby paper mill to be used as a command center for government officials last spring. This significant support was instrumental to the operation and the state has presented Pratt representatives with a plaque in recognition of the company's support.

In addition to the natural tree regeneration that has occurred on Prall's Island, a NYCDPR restoration team began work this spring, clearing invasive plants, as well as planting new trees, native plants, and shrubs. An expanded re-planting program is being planned by NYCDPR for this fall.

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