The Asian Longhorned Beetle

An Introduced Pest of Urban and Suburban Trees in North America

byJames E. Zablotny, Ph.D

Deborah G. McCullough, Ph.DMichigan State University

and Dennis Haugen, Ph.D., USDA Forest Service

Where is the ALB from?

• China• Korea

ALB is a significant pest of hybrid poplars in China.}

•ALB was introduced into North America from infested wooden packing material.

Risk of ALB Introduction in Wood Packing Material

Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anaplophora glabripennis)

female

male

1inch

• “Starry Sky” Beetle• Black with white markings• Long antennae with black & white bands• Large & robust

ALB Life Cycle

1. Egg Niche

2. Larva

4. Emergence Hole5. Adult

3. Pupa

Larval Feeding Injures Trees

Larvae tunnelinto sapwood.

Die back in ALBinfested tree.

• Large emergence holes on branches or the stem (>3/8” diam).

Symptoms of ALB Infestation

• Flagging & dieback in the canopy.

• Sawdust accumulates at branch crotches or tree base.

Repeated ALB Attacks Can Kill Trees

Boxelder tree killed by ALB.

Prefers: • Maples (Acer species).

Will also infest:

• Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum),• Elms (Ulmus spp.), • Birches (Betula spp.),• Willows (Salix spp.),

• Poplars (Populus spp.), • and many others.

Hosts of ALB

Potential for Widespread Damage to Native Trees is High

Currently, ALB is known to be established in

New York City (1996) & Chicago (1998)

Greenpoint-Brooklyn 1996 Amityville 1996 Bayside-Queens 1998 Manhattan 1999Islip 1999

History of ALB Infestation: New York

Locations and Year Infestation Detected

Known ALB Infestation: New York

Greenpoint-Brooklyn & Manhattan Quarantine Area

• Infested TreesRecent Infestation– Quarantine

• Infested TreesRecent Infestation– Quarantine

Amityville Quarantine Area

Bayside-Queens Quarantine Area

Islip Quarantine Area

History of ALB Infestation: Chicago

Ravenswood 1998Addison 1998 Summit 1998 Kilbourn Park 1999Park Ridge 1999O’Hare Airport 2000

Locations and Year Infestation Detected

Chicago Area ALB Infestation

Ravenswood & Kilbourn Park Infestations

Addison Quarantine Area

Summit Quarantine Area

Park Ridge Quarantine Area

O’Hare ALB Infestation

What is being done about ALB in New York & Chicago?

Goal ERADICATION

• Removal & disposal of infested trees

• Replanting with non-host species

Before After

Removal of Infested Trees Ravenswood, Illinois

Replanting Strategies

• Resistant species

• Diverse plantings

What Should You Do if You Find A Suspect Beetle?

• Capture at least 1 adult beetle.• Preserve in 70% rubbing alcohol.• Take beetle to professional entomologist

for identification.

Where Can You Take Beetles for Identification?

• County Extension Office• State Department of Agriculture• State Department of Natural Resources• University Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic• USDA Forest Service Office

Remember, Some NativeBeetles are Similar to ALB

• Many native wood- boring beetles are black & white with long antennae

• An entomologist can assist with identification of suspect beetles.

Asian Longhorned Beetle White-spotted Sawyer

Pine Sawyers are Common Native Longhorned Beetles that Resemble ALB

Cottonwood Borer

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Another native species often mistaken for ALB

Will a Healthy Global Economy Lead to the Introduction of More Exotic Beetles?