At the end of August, the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced an intent to publish an Environmental Impact Statement on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. Asian Longhorned Beetle is commonly known by invasive species survey specialists by the acronym ‘ALB’. ALB is a beetle with long antennae, a dark body, and white spots. We have other long-horned beetles in the U.S., but ALB is within a genus (Anoplophora) of beetles that is of particular concern.
Not familiar with ALB? Check out the USDA-APHIS information website at-
Public comment regarding the statement is open until September 30, 2013. More information is available on the USDA-APHIS website at-
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/08/eis_alb.shtml
The University of Florida also has a Featured Creatures publication available on another Anoplophora species that is not known to occur in Florida-the citrus longhorned beetle. Read more at-
http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/beetles/citrus_longhorned_beetle.htm
If you have insect identification questions in Florida, remember that you can submit your inquiries to your local county extension office http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/
or the UF Insect Identification Lab
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/index.html
We have many species in Florida that may resemble an exotic invader, but all suspect samples should be reported!
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