New Hamphire peeks over the Mass. border and prepares for Asian longhorned beetle threat; NH

A tiny beetle carries a big threat - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA: "A tiny beetle carries a big threat
Campaign aims to raise awareness of Asian longhorned beetle

By Jo-Anne MacKenzie
jmackenzie@eagletribune.com
They're the smallest of unwelcome aliens, about 3/4 to 11/4 inches long. There's no border patrol to screen them for entry, but federal and state officials are doing their best to keep them out of virgin territory.
The Asian longhorned beetle, known in forestry circles as ALB, is among the scariest of woodland pests, threatening to decimate hardwood forests from coast to coast. Some 23 species of trees are susceptible to the boring beetle, with maples high on that list.
New Hampshire forestry officials are well aware of what havoc the beetle could wreak on the state's hardwood forests. They don't have to look far.
Some 66 square miles around Worcester, Mass., are under quarantine after an ALB infestation was discovered in that city in August 2008. The quarantine area also includes Boylston, West Boylston, Holden and Shrewsbury.