potential effects on humans

The Asian longhorned beetle has the potential to do catastrophic damage not just to America's economy, but also to our forests. In 2001, A study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service revealed shocking numbers; if left uncontrolled, the beetles could kill nearly 35% of all hardwood trees in the United States: nearly 1.2 billion trees and a net loss of $669 billion USD, which is almost $950 billion USD in today's money. Not to mention, that number has likely increased in the decade following the study.

The beetle, which is running rampant among maple trees in the Northeast, also has the dangerous potential to destroy the maple syrup industry in the United States. The industry was valued at $73.5 million in 2011 and provides jobs for thousands of people from Maine to Wisconsin.

Another important industry that could be disrupted is tourism, where people pay $1 billion USD to see the beautiful fall foliage of the famed maple in New England alone. The tree is one of the most at risk to the Asian longhorned beetle.