OSU Extension @ Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Drive
Toledo, OH 43615

419-578-6783

It’s Not a Gypsy Moth But………..

The Asian long-horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, has recently been discovered
attacking trees in Chicago.  This tree killing insect is a native of Japan, Korea and China.
Currently there are no identified populations of this beetle in Lucas County.

Most recipients of this newsletter are very concerned about tree health and are keen
observers of trees and pests.  The following descriptions of the insects and their damage
will allow you to monitor trees for Asian long-horned beetles.  The sooner an introduced
population of this insect is detected, the fewer trees need to be cut down for control and
eradication efforts will be more successful.

Registered pesticides are not effective in controlling this insect.  The only control measure
currently used in America is cutting down infested trees and burning the wood.  Over 2,500
trees in New York were removed because of this beetle.  Early detection is critical!

The Asian long-horned beetle larvae burrow into the heartwood of trees and kill them.
Maple (Acer) trees, including  Norway, red, sugar, silver, boxelder maple and sycamore
maple, are favored host trees.  Horsechestnut (Aesculus) trees have also been heavily
attacked.

Look for:

• A one inch long, bullet-shaped beetle that is shiny black with white spots and antennae (feelers) longer than the insect’s body.  The antennae are black with white rings.  The plate-shaped feet are black with whitish-blue upper surfaces.

•   Look for large (3/8” diameter) round holes anywhere on the tree including branches, trunks and exposed roots.  These are the sites where adults exit the trees

•  Oval to round darkened wounds in the bark indicate oviposition sites where adult females chew out a place to lay their eggs.

• Large piles of coarse sawdust around the base of trees or where branches meet the main stem.

If you see this beetle, please call:

Horticulture Hotline
OSU Extension
Agricultural Business Enhancement Center
800-358-4678 ext.14

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension.  TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868