The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is native to North-East Asia. This destructive insect is a

very serious threat to the hardwood trees of North America. Thousands of trees have already been cut down under

federal quarantine in the urban forests of New York City and Chicago.

This insect has four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult beetle. After mating, female beetles lay eggs

in oval wounds made on the tree bark. Larvae start to feed by tunneling through living bark and fresh sapwood into

the central heartwood. The egg and larvae are over-wintering stages. Pupation occurs in the spring near the bark.

The new adult beetles emerge in July through perfectly round, 1 cm wide exit holes. The life cycle varies from 1 to 3

years in living trees, but may take up to 7 years in solid wood packing materials used in overseas shipping. In

North America's climate Asian Long-horned Beetle completes its life cycle in one or two years.

Adult beetles are 2 to 3 cm long and shiny jet-black with numerous white spots on their backs. Their long black and

white antennae are segmented and may be up to 2 ½ times their body length. Adults may be seen outdoors during

the warmer parts of the day from summer through late autumn. They are capable of flying, but do not go very far.

They are usually seen feeding on tree leaves or branches before mating.

mountain ash. Maple is the most preferred host.

Non hosts: All coniferous trees, ginkgo and honey locust.  The suitability of all other species is unknown. For some

tree species there is data indicating that they are unsuitable hosts (e.g. the beetle may feed on leaves and lay eggs

on these tree species but larvae are not able to fully develop into a beetle to complete the life cycle). For other tree

species there is no recorded data. Still much is unknown concerning the biology and ecology of the Asian Long-horned

Beetle.

The eradication program currently involves the removal of trees from the preferred host category in designated areas.

Maps of the infested areas can be seen on the above mentioned web sites.

Extensive feeding by the larvae in living trees may cause many of the affected branches to break and fall. The

smooth-barked upper crown branches of young healthy vigorous trees are preferred, but older main stems and even

surface roots of mature trees may also be attacked. A lot of coarse sawdust-like material is created on and around

the tree by the egg laying, boring, and emergence activities. Wounds caused by Asian Long-horned Beetle may

cause sap flow. Most of the infested trees die in a short period of time.