Starry Sky Beetle

The Starry Sky Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) was believed to have arrived in New York from its native China via untreated packing crates and wooden pallets. After more than 20 years of efforts to eradicate the beetle, New York City was declared starry sky beetle free by the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, in October 2019.

While active, the beetle was one of the greatest threats facing New York City's urban forest. The beetles are known to use maple, horsechestnut, elm, willow, birch, poplar, and ash trees as hosts.Tunneling by starry sky beetle larvae damages the vascular system of the tree. Repeated use by the beetle lead to dieback of the tree crown, and, eventually, death of the tree.

Thanks to a combined effort by the City, State, and federal governments, and the work of partners and citizens to monitor trees near their homes, the starry sky beetle was quarantined to sections of New York City. NYC Parks played a key role in scheduling wood debris pick-ups from homeowners in infested boroughs, and worked with partners to monitor trees on public property. In 2013, Manhattan and Staten Island were declared beetle-free. Finally, in 2019, it was announced that this species had been fully eradicated.