State agencies are asking the public to keep an eye out for invasive insects known for boring into trees.
The Washington Invasive Species Council, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State University Extension are working together to spread the word about these invasive species and encourage residents to help find them.
“Researchers and scientists are monitoring for invasive species statewide, but we need the public’s help,” said Stephanie Helms, executive coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council. “Public awareness of emerging invasive pest issues can greatly reduce the risk of spread, as human travel plays a major role in the movement of unwanted insects.”
- The invasive Longhorned Beetle feeds on trees and is extremely destructive to hardwood trees.
- The Emerald Ash Borer is a small wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Larvae get under the bark and eat the sapwood. This species was detected outside of Portland in 2022 and Vancouver, British Columbia in 2024.