Invasive Species Awareness Week in Indiana
Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed this week, April 7-13, as Invasive Species Awareness Week in Indiana.
There are several invasive species causing significant damage to Indianas natural resources at this time said State Entomologist Megan Abraham, director of the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology. Emerald ash borer, Callery pear, gypsy moth, kudzu, hydrilla, and purple loosestrife, to name a few.
Abraham says several more invasive species are close enough to Indianas borders to concern Hoosiers. One is Asian long-horned beetle, which has been found as close as Cincinnati.
DNR officials say these beetles attack hardwood tree species. It has the potential to cause significant economic and environmental impacts if allowed to establish and spread throughout the United States. Signs of these pests start to show about three to four years after infestation. Tree death occurs in 10 to 15 years.
The DNR says adult beetles are 1 to 1.5 inches in length with long antennae. Their bodies are black with small white spots, and their antennae are banded in black and white. Adults can be seen from April to December.
Its the species that we have not spotted in Indiana that we need help from the public to keep an eye out for, Abraham said. Watch local forests and natural resources for signs and symptoms of trees or vegetation dying off for seemingly no reason.
The State Entomologist said the DNR would rather answer a call, inspect an area and find nothing to worry about than find out after the fact that someone had spotted a problem and failed to report it.
If you see see these beetles or signs of them, you are asked to call the DNR at (866) NO EXOTIC (866-663-9684) with the date and location. If you can capture the beetle, officials say you should put in a plastic jar and place it in a freezer to kill it.
You can get more information online at dnr.IN.gov/entomolo/4527.htm.