The New York State DEC has issued an alert to be on the lookout for signs of a new invasive Asian insect called the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. They spread a disease called Laurel Wilt. Their presence has been detected down on Long Island.

The DEC says to be on the lookout for signs of activity from these beetles because we are unlikely to notice the beetles themselves. They are really small. A fact sheet from Cornell University tells us that an adult beetle is the size of the eyebrow of Abe Lincoln on a penny.

The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is believed to have come into the U.S. on shipping pallet wood (same as the Emerald Ash Borer). Now that they are here, they are believed to have spread by the usual methods such as moving nursery stock or firewood. Prior to discovery on Long Island there were no cases of Laurel Wilt above central North Carolina.

Laurel Wilt is caused by a fungus that the beetles spread. There is some good news for us here in the North. Many of our local species that are cold weather laurels are resistant to the fungus. It should have no effect on our mountain laurel or cherry laurel.

The Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic at Cornell reports that there are two species of “greatest concern” here in the Northeast. Those are spicebush and sassafras. Both are part of the normal flora in our local woods. They are also commonly used as ornamental shrubs.

The DEC warns that the spread of Laurel Wilt could have serious impacts on New York’s forests and wildlife. Imagine the effects on populations of our Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies for instance. That species is extremely dependent on the spicebush. Fun fact: Swallowtails are the only butterflies that continue to flutter their wings while they are feeding.

So what can we do to help stop the spread of those nasty little invasive Redbay Ambrosia Beetles? Check for signs of leaves wilting on the host plant after you have identified it as sassafras or spicebush. If the leaves fall completely off, check for signs of dark streaking in the sapwood. This can be done by removing a small section of bark and looking for dark vertical streaks, or by cutting across a branch and looking for dark spots under the bark in the sapwood.

If you think you have found Laurel Wilt, please take pictures of the damage to the tree. Check for signs of the beetles themselves. Record the GPS coordinates of the location if you can. If you detect it on your own property, contact Cornell at cornell-plantdiseaseclinic@cornell.edu. If you find it elsewhere, contact the DEC at foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.

Please remember that one of the best ways that we can prevent the spread of these invasive species is to not move firewood long distances. If you go camping somewhere, please buy your camp wood there instead of bringing it from home. Please check out the fact sheet that Cornell published to learn more.

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.