Asian and citrus long-horned beetles
Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) and the citrus long-horned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) are closely related species of the genus Anoplophora.
These pests are a serious threat to many horticultural industries and are not present in Australia.
Background
Long distance spread of Asian and citrus long-horned beetles occurs with eggs or larvae, transported in the wood of host materials.
These beetles are most likely to arrive in Australia via imported timber used for pallets and other packing materials, from Asia or North America. This can be seen in:
- larval tunnels and oval-shaped exit holes in the wood, up to 15 millimetres wide
- sawdust-like frass falling from damaged timber.
Natural, localised spread of Asian and citrus long-horned beetles is slow. The adult beetles can fly between 30 to 225 metres in a single flight, though most move only short distances.
Impacts
Signs of tree damage caused by both these beetles include:
- death of large branches in otherwise healthy trees
- coarse frass on trunks, or at base of trees
- large, round exit holes through trees
- extensive galleries within branches and the trunk.
Asian long-horned beetle
Asian long-horned beetle
This species attacks woody trees, especially those under stress, quickly killing even the healthy trees. They target more than 100 species, including:
- elm
- willow
- poplar
- maple
- fruit, ornamental, and amenity trees.
Larvae feed under the bark and later enter woody tissues. Adults feed on tree leaves and young bark, damaging the fruiting shoots of fruit trees which results in economic loss.
Citrus long-horned beetle
Citrus long-horned beetle
These beetles attack the same range of plants as the Asian long-horned beetle, plus:
- citrus
- lychee
- mulberry
- oak
- pear
- chestnut
- fig
- walnut
- pecan
- Rosa
- Platanus
- Acacia
- Casuarina
- Psidium
- a species of Pinus.
Citrus long-horned beetle could devastate Australia’s citrus, apple and pear plantations and destroy forests and native bush.
Identification
Asian and citrus long-horned beetles are long-bodied, with adult females reaching up to 37 mm in length. Males are significantly smaller, only growing to 25 mm.
The body of both beetles is black with irregular white spots covering the back. The legs and underside of the body are blue grey in colour.
The adults have long antennae, 2.5 times the body length in males and 1.3 times the body length in females. The antennae have 11 segments, each with a whitish blue base.
Asian and citrus long-horned beetle larvae are legless, creamy white grubs up to 56 mm long.
The eggs are 5 to 7 mm, off-white, and oblong. Just before hatching, the eggs turn yellowish-brown.
