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Asian longhorn beetle
What is it?
Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a serious pest that bores deep into hardwood trees, eventually killing them. Asian longhorn beetles attack maple, elm, willow, poplar, mulberry, apple, plum, pear and other hardwood trees.
Where is it found?
Asian longhorn beetle is native to southern China, Korea and Japan. It was found in parts of the United States in 1996, probably after arriving in solid wood packing material such as crates and pallets from Asia. In 2001 an outbreak was identified in maple and sycamore trees in Austria.
What are its effects?
Asian longhorn beetle larvae burrow deep into the heartwood of trees to feed, making this pest hard to control using insecticides. Control is only possible by cutting down and chipping or burning infested trees and then replacing them with species not attacked by the beetle.
What’s the risk to Australia?
Asian longhorn beetle could devastate 150 million hectares of Australia’s native forests. It also poses a threat to our apple and pear plantations and parkland trees.
The highest risk of Asian longhorn beetle getting into Australia is on imported timber and wood pallets or packing materials from overseas, or on other timber items such as furniture. For this reason timber products from Asia must be treated before being imported or on arrival in Australia.
Field guide to exotic pests and diseases: Asian longhorn beetle