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Anoplophora glabripennis

Adult Asian longhorned beetles, pinned specimens. (Photo: Tawny Simisky)
Scientific Name: 
Anoplophora glabripennis
Common Name: 
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Growing Degree Days (GDD's): 
None available at this time.
Host Plant(s) Common Name (Scientific Name): 
Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
Birch (Betula spp.)
Elm (Ulmus spp.)
Golden raintree (Koelreuteria spp.)
Horsechestnut and Buckeye (Aesculus spp.)
Katsura (Cercidiphyllum spp.)
London planetree and Sycamore (Platanus spp.)
Maple (Acer spp.) *Most preferred host.
Mimosa (Albizia spp.)
Mountain Ash (Sorbus spp.)
Poplar (Populus spp.)
Willow (Salix spp.)
Insect Description: 

The adult beetle is approximately 1-1½" in total body length. It is shiny  and black in color and it has white spots on its back. The antennae are longer than the body of the males (female antennae may only be as long as the body) and each antennal segment alternates between white and black. Sometimes in life, the feet and antennae of the insect may appear blue. Pupae are white to brown and look vaguely like adults. Larvae are cream colored to white, segmented, and have dark colored mouthparts. Eggs are approximately the size of a grain of rice and also white to cream colored. In Massachusetts, adult beetles start to emerge from trees around July 1st and may be active into the late fall. Female beetles will chew individual "notches" in the bark of trees and lay an egg in each of these sites. Larvae (immatures) soon emerge and feed under the bark by tunneling. Later, in the fall, they tunnel deep into the wood where they spend the winter. They pupate in late spring, after spending either 1 or 2 seasons tunneling in and damaging the host. (Depending upon temperatures, the life cycle of this insect can take 1 or 2 years to complete.) Round exit holes are created by the emerging adults.

Damage to Host: 

The larvae of this insect create galleries (or tunnels) within host trees which can sometimes be visible as C-shaped sections where bark has been removed. These tunnels compromise the strength of the tree and may lead to tree girdling, failure, and death. Adults emerge from perfectly round exit holes measuring 3/8 inch in diameter where sometimes copious amounts of tiny match stick-like frass can be seen falling out and getting caught in forked branches. Adult females will chew pits or egg sites where they will lay 1 egg per site (mandible marks can be seen on the edges).

Monitoring: 

Monitoring for and reporting the Asian longhorned beetle is the first and only recommended method of managing this insect. This is a federally regulated pest (regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture; USDA-APHIS) as well as a state regulated pest (regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation; DCR). To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb .

Cultural Management: 

See monitoring section above.

Natural Enemies & Biological Control: 

None available at this time.

Chemical Management: 

None. See monitoring section above.

Notes: 

If you believe you have found an Asian longhorned beetle or the damage it causes, please call: 1-508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938. To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb . For more information, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/asian-longhorned-beetle

Read and follow all label instructions for safety and proper use. If this guide contradicts language on the label, follow the most up-to-date instructions on the product label. Always confirm that the site you wish to treat and the pest you wish to manage are on the label before using any pesticide. Read the full disclaimer. Active ingredients labeled "L" indicate some products containing the active ingredient are labeled for landscape uses on trees or shrubs. Active ingredients labeled "N" indicate some products containing the active ingredient are labeled for use in nurseries. Always confirm allowable uses on product labels. This active ingredient list is based on what was registered for use in Massachusetts at the time of publication. This information changes rapidly and may not be up to date. If you are viewing this information from another state, check with your local Extension Service and State Pesticide Program for local uses and regulations. Active ingredient lists were last updated: September 27, 2024. To check current product registrations in Massachusetts, please visit the MA Department of Agricultural Resources Pesticide Product Registration page and click on "Search Pesticide Products Registered in Massachusetts - Kelly Solutions".