The black stem borer is an introduced species from eastern Asia that first was detected in NY in greenhouse-grown grape stems in 1932, but has since been documented in most parts of the US. A member of the group known as ambrosia beetles, this generalist wood boring insect can infest a number of ornamental and forest species, including American beech, maple, dogwood, black walnut, oak, and magnolia; infestations in apple were first reported in Ohio in 1982. Damage associated with black stem borers was first reported in 2013 in western NY apples, and infestations have been found as far east as Long Island. This species probably was present in New York apple growing regions for some years before first being detected. Nearly every orchard showing characteristic types of tree decline symptoms has black stem borer infestations.