Asian beetle found in new type of tree

Evidence of the Asian long-horned beetle has turned up yet againon Chicago's North Side.

A homeowner's call to the city about damaged trees in her backyardon North Belle Plaine two weeks ago resulted in seven trees beingdestroyed, senior city forester Joe McCarthy said Monday. All thetrees were in the quarantine area, where the beetles have been mostprevalent. The homeowner also spotted three of the insects, but shekilled two and one got away, McCarthy said.

Forestry officials also said that the find was significant becauseone of the seven trees was a species that has never been host to thebeetle: the European mountain ash. McCarthy said the beetle "hasnever been known to attack this type of tree before." He also saidthe European ash accounts for less than 1 percent of Chicago's streettrees.

Officials have found evidence of the beetles in 19 trees,including the latest seven, since July 1-the start of the season whenbeetles emerge as adults, McCarthy said.

The homeowner on Belle Plaine called the city Aug. 16, McCarthysaid. Investigators found evidence of the beetle on three trees inthe woman's yard, three on her block and one about a half-mile away.