Citrus longhorn beetle
Anoplophora chinensis
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Photo credit: @The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
Anoplophora chinensis
Common names:
Habitat:
Description:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
How might it get here?
For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
Anoplophora chinensis
Common names:
- Citrus longhorn beetle, black and white longhorn beetle, citrus root cerambycid
Habitat:
- agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas.
Description:
- This is a very distinctive black longhorn beetle with variable white markings, and is 21 to 37 mm long.
- The antennae are very long, and are 1.2-2 times the length of the body. The antennae are black with white/light blue bands.
- Adult beetles are most commonly found in July and August. The exit holes (6-11mm in diameter) are often near exposed tree roots or tree trunk bases.
Origin and Distribution:
- Native to China, Japan and other countries in South East Asia. Citrus longhorn beetles have been moving around the world in ornamental trees from Asia.
Impacts:
- They pose a serious threat to horticulture, forestry and native trees.
- This species can kill many species of broadleaved trees, including maples (inc. sycamore), poplars, alders, willows, cherries, apples, horse chestnut, elm, mulberry, and boxelder.
- The beetle completes most of its life cycle inside the host tree, with adults emerging in spring. Adult beetles feed on twigs, leaf petioles and primary leaf veins. Eggs are injected under the bark surface where they hatch into larvae. Larvae tunnel under the bark and destroy the tree’s vascular system which disrupts sap flow of infested trees. Older larvae tunnel into the heartwood where their feeding slowly destroys the structural integrity of trees. Trees are slowly killed over a 3-5 year period, although it may be longer.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is not found in Northern Ireland.
How might it get here?
- Nursery trade, sea freight, in solid wood packing material such as pallets and containers.
- Citrus Longhorn Beetles may also be introduced in infected firewood.
For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk