Asian Longhorn Beetle Attacks Hardwood Trees
The Asian longhorn beetle is a non-native invasive species that was first discovered in the United States in New York in 1996. This insect attacks hardwood trees like maples, poplars, elms, ashes, and birches, among others.
Symptoms Of Asian Longhorn Beetle.
According to the USDA, signs and symptoms of Asian longhorn beetle include:
- Adult exit holes that are pencil sized and perfectly round.
- Oviposition pits
- Sawdust from larval feeding
- Oozing sap from limbs
- Branch dieback
- Visible adults
Oviposition pits are wounds made in the bark of a tree by a female beetle in which she lays her eggs. When the larvae mature, they enter the heartwood of the tree before emerging as an adult in the summer. Sap will flow freely from these exit wounds, making the tree susceptible to other pests and disease.
Adults have bullet-shaped bodies that range from ¾ inch to 1.5 inches long. They are shiny black with white spots and long striped antennae that can be up to 2.5 times the size of its body.
Asian Longhorn Beetle Is Not Yet In Missouri
It should be noted that the Asian longhorn beetle has not yet been discovered in Missouri. As such, it should not be confused with the cottonwood borer, a native longhorned beetle that is native to Missouri.
If you believe you have found the Asian longhorn beetle in Missouri, report it to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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