Watch out for this invasive beetle, state officials warn

State of play: The beetle known for boring into wood and killing trees hasn't been found in the Mitten State yet, but if it were, it could cause widespread harm.

• Michigan has a billion maple trees that are important for timber, ecology and maple syrup production, according to the state, and these beetles adore maple trees.
• With fall colors on the way, people will already be paying attention to maples — making this a perfect time to check, says Deborah McCullough, MSU professor of forest entomology.

How it works: Signs of infestation to look for include round pencil-sized holes in tree trunks or branches, dead branches on healthy trees, wood shaving piles at the foot of trees and shallow, round scars in the trees' bark.

Between the lines: If they are discovered, USDA officials would come in, working with the state, and cut down and destroy all infested and nearby trees. It's a tough process, but important to protect the wider tree population, McCullough says.

• They were first found in Brooklyn in the 1990s and have been found in Ohio, but not in Michigan, as they don't disperse over long distances.

What they're saying: "If we have it, it's going to be really important to catch it early," McCullough says.