News & Information

Insect Information

Recently, two important pests have been found near the borders of Connecticut.

Both pests are extremely destructive to our trees and have been responsible for the devastation of tens of millions of trees surrounding the Great Lakes states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

In 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Michigan. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. The pests emerge as adults through "D" shaped exit holes.

The other pest is the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), an exotic pest threatening a wide variety of hardwood trees in North America.It's hosts are the following trees: Maple, Horsechestnut, Willow, Elm, Birch and Sycamore, including several occasional host varieties.

Important Links

Dart Tree Service has complied a very important list of very useful links.

Emerald Ash Borer

This Web site is part of a multinational effort in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec to bring you the latest information about emerald ash borer.

Invasive Insects and Diseases

Non-native, invasive insects and diseases have long been of concern to those who care about, and for, Connecticut's trees. The list of these invaders is a list of many of the most serious biological threats to our trees and forests. This list would include the gypsy moth, chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, Japanese beetle, elongate hemlock scale and the hemlock woolly adelgid.
Unfortunately, this list continues to grow, at what appears to be an increasing rate. Insects and diseases that have the potential to impact Connecticut's trees include the Asian longhorned beetle, the emerald ash borer, oak wilt and sudden oak death.

Unlicensed Tree Work

As a service to its members, the CTPA office will forward to CT DEP reports on tree work that is being done by individuals who are not licensed as arborists, or who are not under the supervision of a licensed arborist. The CTPA does not make a judgment on the validity of these complaints. Its role is simply to forward the complaints on to the CT DEP, Division of Pesticide Management. That is the entity in the state, along with the Tree Protection Examining Board, responsible for maintaining the integrity of the arborist license.

Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants

Bug of the Week. A weekly update on insect pests of interest to gardeners, nurserymen, homeowners and others.