June 19, 2009

     A beetle deadly to trees has made its way to New York State.
     The emerald ash borer was discovered in Randolph just last weekend -- that's in Cattaragus County.
     It's an invasive insect from Asia that attacks ash trees, and kills them within a few years.
     The bug first invaded the U.S. in 2002 in Michigan -- now, it's infected trees in 14 states.
     “I think most of my colleagues would agree the long-term impacts would be quite catastrophic. There's a potential for ash to be lost from the ecosystem due to this organism,” said Cornell University entomologist Rick Hoebecke.
     Experts say the best way to prevent further spreading of the beetles is to not transport firewood.

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