Los Angeles Times, February 20, 2009

The Asian Longhorned Beetle has been discovered in Worcester, Massachusetts and threatens to destroy boxelder, maple, chestnut, willows, and elms. These types of infestations are hastened by human activity (the beetle originally came to the United States in the wood of pallets). The threat to American forests could be severe — the larvae destroy the trees from the inside out. I’d like to see more information about how the beetles’ original habitat regulates its population (e.g. natural predators, climate).

The biggest problem in spreading these pests is people moving firewood; the pieces of wood may contain larvae.

Other links: USDA