Bug Day: The Hunt For The Asian Longhorned Beetle & Spotted Lanternfly

The Vernon Greenways Volunteers will conduct a tour of the Rail Trail looking for a possible infestation of the Asian Longhorned Beetle and the Spotted Lanternfly.

Meet at 9:00 AM at the Church Street entrance to the Rail Trail. We will be done before noon. Breakfast items will be served.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle attacks maple, birch, elm and willow trees. The Spotted Lanternfly is the new 'bad kid, on the block. It was first discovered in SE Pennsylvania in 2014. It is a pest of our shade trees, grapes, tree fruit and hops.

The process will be lead by Rose Hiskes, Diagnostician & Horticulturist in the Entomology Department of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and Carol Grasis, Resource Conservationist for the USD A. Both will bring co-workers who will serve as Group Leaders.

A short informational session will be presented before volunteers will be aligned with Group Leaders. We will be looking for damage to trees caused by these invasive bugs. If suspicious areas are found they will be examined by the group leader and, if appropriate, marked for close examination. Bring binoculars if you have them or, if not, we will supply.

If you have questions or plan to attend, please contact Don Bellingham at (860) 872-6061 or vernongreenways@att.net.

http://www.vernongreenways.org/