Skip to content

Nature

Invading beetles threaten autumn colours

by Colin Ricketts 31 Aug 2011
Invading beetles threaten autumn colours
etadshow468 -->

The iconic maples, which attract so many tourists to the multicoloured New England autumn, could be under threat from an invading beetle says the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is the alien species in question and scientists who have carried out the first study of its numbers fear it could spread from tree-lined city streets to the north east's beautiful maple forests.

The results of the study appear in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research.

So far, the beetles have been found in cities like Chicago, New York and Boston, but the infestation in Worcester, Massachusetts has seen the species move into nearby forests since they were first recorded in 2008.

A containment effort covers a 98-square-mile perimeter around Worcester, with scientists fearing that the beetle could enter a wooded corridor linking New York to New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

David Orwig, a forest ecologist at the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, said: "the ALB apparently has been in the Worcester area for at least 10 years, and, undetected, could have easily spread to even larger tracts of continuous forest."

Kevin Dodds, an entomologist from the U.S. Forest Service said: "From our work it became apparent that ALB was readily moving through forests and attacking trees, making it a threat to forests in the region."

Maple trees are the favoured forest home of the ALB - they were found in around two-thirds of the maples in one survey site - and the trees are vital to the economy of New England, attracting tourists who spend $1billion and producing syrup.

"If the ALB continues to spread outside Worcester, the abundance of red maples could provide a pathway for its dispersal throughout New England and other parts of eastern North America," said Orwig.

In order to keep the outbreak in check, forestry managers have been felling trees, changing the make-up of the forest with oaks coming to predominate which could have unforeseen consequences for the whole ecosystem.

Orwig argues for long-term study of the ALB and its effects, saying: "Only through a long-term approach can we begin to evaluate the impacts of how ecosystems are impacted over decades and longer."

Top Image Credit: Maple trees in autumn © Sandralise


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping