Scientific names: Citrus Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis), Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), and Red-necked Longhorned Beetle (Aromia bungii)
What Are They?
Citrus (Anoplophora chinenses), Asian (Anoplophora glabripennis), and red-necked (Aromia bungii) long-horned beetles are large beetles whose larvae feed on and in the wood of trees. When the beetles mature to adulthood, they emerge through holes that weaken the trees further. They are extremely destructive to hardwood trees.
Are They Here Yet?
No. All three species have reached Washington at least once in warehouses or nurseries, but these were isolated incidents. The beetles came in with foreign nursery stock, which at the time was not regulated for these particular pests. With the increase of global trade and movement of plant materials via the internet, the state still is at risk for new introductions of any of these species.
Why Should I Care?
Unlike our native long-horned beetles that typically feed on dying trees, invasive long-horned beetles attack healthy trees, sometimes killing them. These beetles can harm more than 40 species of host trees. Letting these tree-killing beetles establish in Washington would be devastating to forests, parks, and yards.
What Are Their Characteristics?
Citrus Long-horned Beetle
- Very similar in appearance to the Asian long-horned beetle described below. It is large, stout, and about 1-1 1/2 inches long with shiny black wings marked with ten to twelve white round dots.
- Males are generally smaller than females, and the wings entirely cover their abdomen tip. The females’ abdomens are partially exposed.
- The males’ antennae are longer than the females’ in comparison to their body size.
Asian Long-horned Beetle
- Large, robust beetle.
- Glossy black with irregular splotches of white on the wings.
- The antennae are quite striking with bands of black and gray.
- The feet and legs are decorated with a slate blue pubescence.
Red-necked Long-horned Beetle
- 4/5-1 1/2 inches long.
- Body is almost entirely a glossy black except for a red thorax, between its head and abdomen.
- The female’s antennae are as long as its body, while the male’s antennae are about 1 1/2 times as long.
How Do I Distinguish Them From Native Species?
The Asian and citrus long-horned beetles have a few native lookalikes, including the banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) and several species in the genus Monochamus. Monochamus species may be differentiated by the smaller size of their white spots, small white triangle marking on their upper backs, and the visibly rougher, bumpier, and less glossy texture of their exoskeletons. Please visit these links to help with identification:
- Iowa State University’s BugGuide: Banded alder borer, spotted pine sawyer, and Oregon fir sawyer/ Whitespotted sawyer
- Washington State University Extension
- University of Vermont
How Do We Stop It?
Since these beetles feed on wood, the most important prevention measure is limiting the movement of firewood. In other words, Buy it Where you Burn it.
Native Look-a-Likes
Additional Photographs
