Eradication – Easier Said than Done…

Complete elimination of the ALB from this country is the current goal of federal and state organizations involved with this pest. This was formally decided at a meeting of the Science Advisory Panel on October 25, 1996. Several significant tentative assumptions, based on existing knowledge at that time, were agreed upon and have guided current eradication and management activities:

• ALB represents an exotic pest that would have significant economic, social and ecological impacts on North American urban, rural and forest areas. Eradication of this pest from the US should be attempted if at all possible.
• The host range of ALB indicates that tree species occurring throughout the US would be susceptible, and this species of beetle is able to attack and kill healthy trees.
• In its country of origin (China), with its associated natural enemies, ALB causes significant damage. 
  
• This suggests that biological control may not provide long-term population suppression.
• Because of the lifecycle of the insect, chemical control may not offer a short-term solution, and is not a practical solution in forest environments.

The Science Advisory Panel made several recommendations that have since become operational:

		Identify and remove all infested trees as soon as possible. Removal should include grinding of the stump to a depth of 8 inches when there is evidence of ALB infestation on the lower 2 feet of the bole or on the roots. All materials resulting from the tree removal will be chipped and burned.   Replanting within the infested areas should be done with non-susceptible tree species (list of replanted trees in Chicago.) Carry out visual delimiting survey to determine the extent and area of infestation. Initiate a public awareness program to alert the public and other organizations of additional infestation sites.
Tree Removal Photo courtesy of APHIS