Updated 09/21/2008 05:10 PM
NY environmental workers to help assess beetle problem in Mass.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A team of New York forestry workers is being sent to the Worcester, Massachusetts area to help assess an infestation of Asian Longhorned Beetles, a pest that attacks a variety of native hardwood trees.
Massachusetts officials have found about a 1,000 trees attacked by the beetle so far. The team from the New York Department of Environment Conservation will help in August to identify infested trees and assist trying to stop the beetle from spreading.
New York has imposed emergency rules against transporting firewood more than 50 miles from its origin in an effort to limit the beetles, which damage trees when their larvae tunnel into the wood.