Invasive Beetles Found In Prospect Park

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — An invasive species of beetle has been found in Prospect Park, the first discovery of the bug in New York City, officials announced Friday afternoon.

Emerald Ash Borers burrow into ash trees, and their larvae cut off the supply of water and essential nutrients to them. Researchers from Cornell University found the borers in three of 10 ash trees they sampled that were suspected of hosting the beetles.

A statement from the city's Parks Department says that officials "are taking immediate action" to prevent the spread of the bugs to protect the 51,000 ash trees across the city.

"The Emerald Ash Borer infestation was detected in Prospect Park thanks to vigilant monitoring of the tree population by Prospect Park Alliance arborists, a year round tree crew committed to the protection and preservation of the Park's 30,000 trees," John Jordan, the Director of Landscape Management at the Prospect Park Alliance, said in a statement

"The Alliance will continue to monitor the ash trees in the Park, and will work closely with New York City Parks Department, USDA and DEC to continue tracking and responding to this infestation."

Researchers can guess which trees have been infested by looking for "thin crowns, sprouts on the trunks of the trees, and the signature d-shaped exit holes adult beetles leave on trees' bark," the Parks Department said. Woodpeckers also peel off the outer layers of bark looking for larvae.

The three trees that were infested have been removed from the park, and more are expected to be cut down during the winer, the city says.

Parks says it has a "three-pronged approach" for fighting the beetles' spreading including early detection of affected trees, treating healthy trees and replacing trees that have been infected by the bugs.

To learn more about the beetles, click here.

Photo by Marc Torrence, Patch