Why are scientists interested in the viburnum leaf beetle (VLB)?
Because this imported pest has already caused considerable damage to our landscape and has the potential to keep spreading and wreak even more havoc. A native of Europe, the beetle was first sighted in North America in 1947 in Canada. The first sighting in New York was at Fair Haven Beach State Park on Lake Ontario in 1996, and it has spread rapidly since then. As of 2007, it was found in nearly all counties in upstate New York (N.Y. map), as well as in parts of Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Ohio (national map). Even though VLBs only harm viburnum shrubs, scientists are concerned that they will easily adapt to our climate because it is similar to Europe’s. They may spread quickly here because they don’t have the same natural enemies that they had to keep them in check in Europe. As people and goods move more easily between countries, the chances of accidentally introducing other non-native pests increases. Scientists hope that what we learn from studying VLBs will hel
