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Gauging Boston's Beetle Problem

06:16
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U.S. Department of Agriculture tree climber Joe Hartmann ascends a tree during an inspection for Asian longhorned beetles in a residential area of Worcester in this October 2008 file photo. (Stephan Savoia/AP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture tree climber Joe Hartmann ascends a tree during an inspection for Asian longhorned beetles in a residential area of Worcester in this October 2008 file photo. (Stephan Savoia/AP)

The hunt is on for the Asian long-horned beetle in Boston, the invasive pest that led to the removal of 30,000 trees in Worcester. One beetle sighting is enough to give tree lovers nightmares.

Six red maples near Faulkner Hospital were discovered to be infested with the beetle. Now a team of  tree inspectors are fanning out to check more than 100,000 trees estimated to live in the 10 square miles surrounding the hospital, an area that includes the Arnold Arboretum.

We discuss the current threat to Boston's greenery with an entomologist.

Guest:

  • Robert Childs, entomologist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

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