Invasive Insect from Asia: Citrus Longhorned Beetle
- HYUN SIM
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
The Citrus Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) is a species of Longhorned Beetle native to parts of Asia. It measures approximately 4.4-5.8 cm as a mature adult (Wikipedia). It belongs to the Cerambycidae family, which is the Longhorned beetle family. As the name suggests, species of this family can be distinguished by their long antennae that resemble horns. These antennae are black with white bands for the Citrus Longhorned Beetle. The body parts are black with variable white spots on the abdomen and elytra. The head has denim blue markings that match the tint of its legs. It is native to parts of Korea, China, and Japan, but a nonnative pest in many other countries all over the world.
The Citrus Longhorned Beetle tends to populate warm and temperate climates while avoiding cooler or hot climates (Ages). Due to their diet and life cycle, they survive and infest areas with a lot of deciduous shrubs and greenery.
The life cycle of the Citrus Longhorned Beetle spans from 1-2 years. It begins with the female laying eggs in the roots of plants and trees. The female cut T-shaped holes in the roots and bark of the plants above ground. The eggs are around 5-6 mm and are creamy white (Ages). As they get closer to hatching, the eggs take on a more yellowish-brown shade. Around 70 eggs are laid during the female Citrus Longhorned Beetle's lifetime. During a period of 1-3 weeks, the eggs will hatch into larvae. The hatched larvae start out their lives by feeding on the inside of the bark or roots they were laid in. They then move onto feeding on the wood near the base of the tree, around the roots and trunk. When the larvae reach a size of around 5-6 cm, they will begin the hibernation stage (Ages). During this phase, the larvae enter a pupa-like state. It lasts around 4-6 weeks during the spring. Once the pupa stage ends, the mature Citrus Longhorned Beetle will exit the tree through bores around 1-1.5 cm in diameter.
Although native to parts of Asia, the Citrus Longhorn Beetle is invasive and a pest in other parts of the world. Citrus Longhorn Beetle infestations cause unwanted heavy damage to foliage and crops, particularly in Europe. It reached Europe by sneaking into international shipments and traveling overseas.
Wherever it reaches, the Citrus Longhorn Beetle can infest almost any tree or shrub. In Asia, the primary host for this species is citrus trees, hence the name (Maine). In other places, however, it targets multiple additional fruit trees. On top of that, it often infests many deciduous trees and ornamentals. Crops like apples or hazelnuts are not safe from this invasive insect.
The Citrus Longhorn Beetle accomplishes the killing of greenery through its feeding habits: the larvae eat away at the vital flesh on the inside of the bark, while the adults eat young twigs, plants, and leaf veins. The killing factors are most likely the boring of the newly mature beetles due to their activities cutting off the access of nutrients and moisture through the roots.
Many countries are taking measures to mitigate the infestation of Citrus Longhorned Beetles. The methods are often not the most efficient, such as regular checks of plants for infestation symptoms. As research continues, however, more reliable methods may arise. The management of this species is very important due to its activities, making nature more vulnerable to the climate change crisis. It must be noted that the efficiency of this species when it comes to killing foliage is extraordinary. The Citrus Longhorned Beetle should not be eradicated as it shows the power of nature, but it can also provide a potential solution to overgrowth.
Bibliography
Comments