Just a few years ago, Worcester was home to the beginning of New England’s Asian long-horned beetle infestation. As a result of the 2008 infestation, tens of thousands of Massachusetts trees had to be cut down. Today, the threat continues, with more and more tree-zones becoming quarantined after sightings of the destructive insect. According to pest control services in Worcester and other Massachusetts areas, the small beetle, native to Asia, destroys maple, horse chestnut, birch, poplar, willow, and elm trees. This occurs both as the insect feeds, and especially, as the larvae dig out circular holes as big as 20 mm in diameter. Worcester exterminators say they hope to begin using insecticides to eradicate the beetle, after recent Chicago and New York treatments were successful.