The Asian Long Horned Beetle  is from China and Korea and is feared by most sugar makers.  If these beetles are not contained they will spread and eventually wipe out the entire maple tree population. As the Asian beetle is not native to this country, there are no naturally enemies or effective ways to get rid of the beetle. The female beetle burrows its way into the tree and lays eggs which eventually turn  into grubs and eat away at the tree, eventually killing it and then jumping to the next tree. There has been several outbreaks in New York state and Illinois and more specifically, New York City and Chicago detected by everyday people.  The spread in New York took place when imported wood carried the beetles over to NY. The only methods that the maple sugar makers have to combat the beetle is cutting down the trees and burning them.  More than 3 blocks of maple trees were cut down in New York City

Adults are 3/4 to 1/12 long and have white banded antenaae, a glossy boy and irregular white spots.

Unlike regular tent caterpillars, forest tent caterpillars prefer hardwood trees . The caterpillar spins pad-like webs on both the leaves and trunk where they defoliate the trees. The moths and caterpillars feed on the leaves and construct their nests eventually killing those leaves. Usually defoliating is not enough to kill a strong maple tree but if the tree is weak from repeated defoliation, pollution, or other harmful factors the tree will not be able to withstand the bug. There are several insecticides used to control these caterpillars. One that the local sugar makers are using is called BTK which is an organic insecticide which isn't harmful to the environment. Other options are burning the leaves which have been infected or using TreeHelp Bug Bands which are sticky bands wrapped around the trunk of the tree which trap the caterpillars.

Forest tent caterpillars have a brownish body with bluish lines along the side and are about 2 inches long. Moths are a yellow-brownish color, have a line of white, and other white spots.