UMass prof: Beetle battle to last another decade
A University of Massachusetts scientist says it will probably be another decade before the tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle problem in the central part of the state is solved.
Robert Childs, a professor of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences, said at the Massachusetts Nurseries and Landscape Association Inc. conference in Charlton on Wednesday that's he's confident the battle that has already resulted in the removal of 28,000 trees in Worcester and surrounding communities will be won.
The Telegram & Gazette reports that Childs thinks the beetle had been in the area as long as 15 years before it was discovered in August 2008.
He says he sees signs of progress, including the treatment of 62,000 trees with insecticide and fewer of the destructive bugs being spotted.
