About Asian-longhorned Beetles
China and the Korean peninsula are home to the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis). It primarily infects maple trees in Canada and attacks many other tree species. It doesn’t have natural enemies in Canada and has never been discovered outside of the province of Ontario. The adults of this species range in length from 2 to 4cm (34 to 112 inches). They have a lustrous black coat with large, irregular white patches. The bluish-white legs are one of their most distinguishing characteristics. They have long, black and white banded antennae that are one to two times the length of their bodies. Adults leave a spherical exit hole in trees when they reside in them, about 1 cm across (slightly smaller than a dime).
Habits
The life cycle of the beetle can last one to two years. From April or May until October, adults are active. For about two weeks before mating, new adults graze on twigs, leaf veins, and petioles (leaf stalks). Adults use visual or chemical cues to identify host trees and use both short-range and contact pheromones to detect mates.
Habitats
The Asian long-horned beetle is endemic to China and Korea, where it is a serious pest that kills Elm, Maple, Poplar, and Willow trees.
Threats
The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is a wood-boring pest that attacks maple and other hardwood trees. ALB larvae eat by tunneling deep into the wood of host trees, interrupting water and nutrient flow and jeopardizing tree structural integrity. Repeated strikes weaken and kill trees. The way to get rid of ALB is to cut down and destroy affected trees. We can safeguard our woods and urban environments by detecting ALB early and responding quickly, but we need your support!
Prevention
Unfortunately, no viable ways for preventing or controlling the Asian longhorned beetle have been devised. If you suspect the existence of ALB, the only thing you can do is seek advice from local forestry experts. They take impactful actions to stop the spread of the disease. The only strategy to tackle the Asian Longhorned Beetle that is currently known is to destroy the afflicted trees. While chopping down older trees is an inconvenient and tragic option for the tree owner, it is better than allowing the Asian longhorned beetle to spread.
