Hungry Pests

Looking out for signs of hungry pests? Around the USDA, April is known as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. This is the month that we like to let people know about 20 hungry pests that are highly damaging and they are unknowingly spread by people. Some of the more well-known hungry pests include emerald ash borer beetle, exotic fruit flies, the Asian longhorn beetle and spotted lantern fly. Samantha Simon is the executive director for emergency and domestic programs with USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine. Invasive insects and plant diseases cost the U.S. an estimated $40 billion each year in damages to trees, plants, crops and related eradication and control efforts. So at this time of year, the USDA is encouraging the public to help in protecting the environment. Our hope is that while people are spending time outside, they'll be on the lookout for unusual signs of pests or diseases and trees and plants in their own backyards. This is an especially important time when the pests are emerging and signs of them should be reported to hungrypest.com. For example, you might find a V shaped hole in a tree or yellow and then wilted leaves. These could be signs of ashbaugh if you find round depressions or pencil sized perfectly round holes in trees, these could be signs of Asian longhorn beetle. If you find mud like patches on smooth outdoor surfaces, these could be spotted lantern fly egg masses. Go to hungrypests.com.