The Asian longhorned beetle causes serious damage to hardwood trees through its larval wood-boring activity.
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Prioninae of the World I.
Cerambycidae of the Western Paleartic I.
Adult females chew small grooves in tree bark to lay eggs; once hatched, the larvae tunnel into the tree, feeding on the cambium, sapwood, and eventually heartwood for up to two years. This feeding disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, leading to branch dieback, canopy thinning, and eventually tree death. Infested trees often show round, smooth-edged exit holes about 1/2 inch in diameter where adults emerge, sawdust-like frass (larval excrement) around the base or branches, and dark circular stains or oozing sap at egg-laying sites. Because larvae tunnel extensively inside the wood, they also weaken the structural integrity of the tree, making it prone to limb breakage or toppling during storms.
Long horned beetle damage
The beetle attacks many hardwood species, especially maples, but also birch, elm, willow, ash, poplar, and others. Infestations can kill over 30% of urban trees in affected areas, causing significant ecological and economic damage. There is no cure for infested trees; management relies on quarantines and removal and destruction of infected trees to prevent spread. Because the beetle attacks apparently healthy trees, early detection is critical.
In summary, Asian longhorned beetle damage includes:
Larval tunneling inside living wood, disrupting nutrient and water flow
Round exit holes (~1/2 inch diameter) from emerging adults
Sawdust-like frass around tree base and branches
Branch dieback and canopy thinning leading to tree death
Structural weakening of infested trees, increasing risk of limb failure
Infestation of many hardwood species, especially maples
Due to the severity of damage and difficulty of control, eradication programs focus on tree removal and quarantine to protect forests and urban trees
