Destructive Pine Beetle Found in Westport

The Southern Pine Bark beetle has been spotted in Westport.

Nine pines on Cross highway were removed and samples were taken, according to Westport Now.

The beetle is the most destructive insect in the southeastern United States, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

It was found in New Jersey Pine Barrens in 2009 and was found in Wallingford in March 2015. As of late March there had been four sites in New Haven County, one in Litchfield county and one in Hartford County, according to The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

The beetle bores into the bark of pine trees to feed and in large numbers can kill even healthy trees.

Officials encourage people to report suspected sightings by contacting the Argricultural Experiment Station at 203-974-8474 or ctstateentomologist@ct.gov. Reports will help experts determine where the beatles can be found and how to best stop their destructive spread.

Read more about the beetle on DEEP website.

Sample image of damge courtesy of DEEP