This beetle may look cool, but it is destructive! The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, is a beetle native to China and Korea. First detected in the U.S. in New York in 1996, this beetle is capable of destroying over 29 species of hardwood trees! It prefers maple and boxelder (Acer) but can also attack birch (Betula), elm (Ulmus), ash (Fraxinus), poplar (Populus), and more. Given this beetle’s talent for destroying a wide range of trees and the fact that maple and boxelder comprise the second-most abundant group of trees in our state, it is important that North Carolinians stay on the lookout for the Asian longhorned beetle. The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has travelled to Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and, most recently, South Carolina (discovered near Charleston in June 2020) since its original introduction to New York in 1996. Most infestations in the North came from Asia, but it is unclear if the recently discovered infestation in South Carolina, which has likely existed for about 7 years, came from Asia or another state in the North. More research is needed to understand the Asian longhorned beetle’s life cycle and traits in the Southeastern United States, which could be accomplished by researching the recent infestation in South Carolina. So, how is the ALB destructive? Unlike other wood-boring beetles such as the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle larvae burrow deep within the hardwood and cause structural damage. While most longhorned beetles feed on trees that are already stressed or dying, ALB feeding can kill healthy trees! Other pests may only go through to the cambium layer (a layer of a tree just beneath the inner bark that controls growth), but the Asian longhorned beetle larvae burrow deep into the tree where they spend their entire immature life stage. Larvae destroy the quality of the wood, and large numbers of hungry beetles can even kill trees by girdling them and cutting off nutrient and water flow. I spoke with Amy Michael, state survey coordinator for the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, to learn more about the Asian longhorned beetle. According to Amy, the discovery of the pest in South Carolina is concerning for our state because, if it came from a northern state, then it would have had to pass through North Carolina to reach the area near Charleston. The beetle poses a risk to health and safety due to its extraordinary ability to kill and weaken the structural integrity of hardwood trees. In this part of the country, strong storms and hurricanes are a threat. If a hurricane came through, high winds could easily knock off large branches of ALB-infested trees, potentially increasing property damage or harming people. Amy says that it is important for North Carolinians to look out for the signs of Asian longhorned beetles. While state and federal agencies complete frequent surveys, many infestations of ALB (including the recently spotted one in South Carolina) were discovered by landowners. Sap flows through a large portion of the beetle’s preferred snacks, maple trees, so it takes time for these trees to die or show symptoms of attack. In fact, it may take several years for symptoms to appear! At first, the trees are just stressed, but eventually they become damaged to the point of no return. According to the NC Forest Service, infested trees do not recover or regenerate. There are several signs and symptoms of the Asian longhorned beetle to watch for. They include:
If you see any of the signs or symptoms listed above, contact your county extension office. Amy says that she would rather receive a call about a false ALB sighting than have ALB go unnoticed in our state. You can also report sightings by using the new reporting tool on the NCDA&CS website or by sending a photograph to [email protected]. Unfortunately, management of the Asian longhorned beetle isn’t pretty. Getting rid of the beetle requires removing and destroying all infested trees. Even though this may seem drastic, it is better to remove the trees and effectively rid the area of the beetle rather than allow it to spread to other areas and kill more unsuspecting host trees. So, if you see signs of ALB, make sure to report them to prevent this tree destruction. Above all, don’t move firewood! Because it is a wood-borer, Asian longhorned beetle can travel through firewood and other wood materials, even if it does not seem like the pesky beetle is present. ALB can live in untreated firewood for months, so moving firewood could help the beetle arrive in new areas. Buy local firewood instead. While the ALB is a scary pest, eradication has been achieved in the past with early detection. Since ALB is closer to NC than ever before, it is important for North Carolinians to be on the lookout so we can detect the pest early if it is indeed in our state. Amy says that, while not moving firewood is the best and easiest way you can help out, it is also great to get involved with your county extension office. Know who they are, where they are, and what they do because they have all the information on pests like ALB. And help them out by keeping an eye on your maple trees! Left: ALB exit holes are perfectly round and about the width of a #2 pencil. Image: Dennis Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Middle: Adult Asian longhorned beetles gnaw pits before depositing eggs within them. Image: Melody Keena, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Right: Frass, an excrement that looks like sawdust, is often present on trees with Asian longhorned beetle. Image: Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Written by Courtney Smith Edited by Amy Michael References Paine, T., & Hoddle, M. (2020, January 19). Asian Long-Horned Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis. Retrieved September 23, 2020, from https://cisr.ucr.edu/invasive-species/asian-long-horned-beetle United States, North Carolina Forest Service, Forest Health. (2020, June). Pest Watch: Asian Longhorned Beetle Found in Neighboring State. Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://www.ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/pdf/FHN/FHN06222020.pdf
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AuthorWe are a group of NC State University students committed to spreading awareness about the invasive species that inhabit or threaten North Carolina. Archives
December 2020
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