(Anoplophora glabripennis)
*Not detected in Michigan*
Report this species:
Pay attention to trees, especially maples, with dying branches. Look for the characteristic exit holes in large branches or the trunks. Many websites have good ALB photos and information. If you see a suspect tree or beetle, take photos, record the location try to collect suspect beetles in a jar and report it to:
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDA-Info@michigan.gov or phone the MDARD Customer Service Center, 800-292-3939.
- Or - Use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) online reporting tool.
- Or - download the MISIN smartphone app and report from your phone - MISIN.MSU.edu/tools/apps/#home.
Adult Asian longhorn beetle. Photo courtesy of Michael Bohne, Bugwood.org.
ALB egg pits and exit hole. Dennis Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
ALB life stages. Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org.
Why we care: This large, showy beetle was accidentally introduced into the U.S. on several occasions, probably in wood crating or pallets shipped from Asia. Larvae feed in tunnels (called galleries) in the wood of tree branches and trunks. The galleries can cause branches or trees to break and will eventually kill the tree. North American trees have little or no resistance to infestation.
What is at risk? Maple trees are the Asian longhorned beetle’s (ALB) favorite host. More than 1 billion maple trees grow in Michigan. ALB can attack and kill many other tree species, including poplar, willow, sycamore, and horse chestnut.
The threat: ALB populations are known to be present in areas of southern Ohio, Massachusetts and New York. ALB can be transported into new areas in logs and firewood. If ALB is not eradicated and populations spread across North America, the economic and ecological impacts would be enormous.
What could happen in Michigan? If a new ALB infestation is found, federal and state officials will begin survey and eradication activities, including removing and destroying all infested trees. Tree removal is unpleasant, but it has been successful in eradicating ALB populations in New Jersey, Chicago and Toronto. Early detection is critical.
More Information:
What Does Asian Longhorned Beetle Look Like, Where Has It Been Found in the U.S., and What Trees Can It Infest?
Asian Longhorned Beetle Look-Alikes
Links of Interest
