August is the peak time for the Asian Longhorn beetle, an invasive pest with no known natural predators. It's found in five states, including Ohio. Rhonda Santos with the Asian Longhorn Beetle Eradication Program, says the first appearance of the beetle in Ohio came in Clermont County in 2011.
The Asian Longhorn Beetle prefers hardwood trees, particularly maple. Santos says the beetles bore round holes about three-eighths of an inch in diameter into trunks and branches, creating long tunnels to lay their eggs. This eventually weakens and kills the trees.
Tate Township and parts of Batavia, Monroe and Stonelick Townships in Clermont County, as well as East Fork State Park are currently under a state quarantine. Santos says the beetle poses a threat to Ohio's hardwood forests and the state's 5 billion dollar nursery industry. Santos encourages Ohioans to examine trees in their area this month and look for signs of damage. If damage is found, she says people should call the Ohio Department of Agriculture.