Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) (Anoplophora glabripennis, family Cerambycidae) is potentially the most devastating non-native pest to have ever arrived in North America. ALB kills trees belonging to 12 genera in 9 plant families including all native maples (Acer spp.), a preferred host. Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) kills native trees belonging to one genus, Fraxinus.

October Glory Maple

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in collaboration with the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced yesterday that a 5.2 square mile area that includes portions of East Fork State Park and Tate Township has been removed from the ALB quarantined area. This means that ALB has been successfully eradicated in the area. ALB Quarantined Sign

Successful eradication is essential to avoiding a catastrophic loss of trees on a scale never before seen in the U.S. It's a significant "win" for the earnest professionals dedicated to protecting us from this pernicious pest.

USDA Climber Checking for ALB

Indeed, the unsung heroes in the ALB saga are the dedicated individuals who work for our ODA and the USDA APHIS. These trained professionals work on our behalf to keep non-native pests and diseases of both plants and animals at bay. Their work is critical to our economic and ecological well-being. We owe them our gratitude and support.

Forest Products image

Maple Syrup Production image

For more information on ALB in Ohio, visit the ODA Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) website at:

https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/alb

Stay ALERT to ALB

EAB in Ohio and elsewhere was bad enough, but if ALB is ever allowed to go the route of EAB, it would make EAB look like a walk in the park. Beyond all species of maples, ALB also attacks Aesculus (horsechestnuts and buckeyes); Ulmus (elms); Salix (willows); Betula (birches); Platanus (Sycamore/Planetrees); Populus (Poplars); Albizia (Mimosa); Cercidiphyllum (Katsura); Fraxinus (ashes); Koelreuteria (goldenraintree); and Sorbus (mountainash).

Early detection is critical to the successful eradication of ALB both in terms of time and money. There is always a risk that ALB may slip through our border interdiction efforts. This means we must remain vigilant no matter where we live in Ohio or elsewhere in the U.S.

Tips for detecting ALB:

1. Focus on Maples: ALB will attack trees belonging to 12 genera; however, maples (Acer spp.) are by far the most preferred host. Finding emergence holes in live, healthy maple stems would point to ALB.

2. Branch Breakage: ALB larvae tunnel through and feed on the wood (xylem) of trees. This weakens branches causing them to break. Unusually heavy branch breakage on living maple trees should be investigated!

3. Holes: The "Pencil Test:" The big beetles typically emerge from deep inside the xylem, so the perfectly round adult emergence holes extend deep into the tree. Inserting a #2 pencil into the holes will reveal the depth of the adult emergence holes. However, trees may close the exit holes with wound-response tissue.

ALB “Pencil Test” with #2 Pencil

ALB Exit Hole Closed by Wood-Response Tissue

ALB Emergence Holes Closed by Wood-Response Tissue

4. Pits in the Bark: ALB females chew a concave pit through the bark to the xylem where they lay a single egg. The "oviposition pits" may weep sap during the growing season. However, trees usually close the pits relatively quickly, so you may only see rounded wounds.

ALB Female Chewing Oviposition Pit

ALB Oviposition Pits

Sap Oozing in Mid-Summer from ALB Oviposition Pits

ALB Indicators

5. Woodpecker Damage: ALB larvae live deep inside the xylem. Woodpeckers excavate deep holes in search of these large, tasty meat morsels.

ALB Larva Deep in the Xylem (Wood)

ALB-Related Woodpecker Damage

6. Frass: ALB produces small wood shavings, called frass, as they emerge from trees or as the females chew oviposition pits.

ALB Frass

7. Bark Cracking: Larval feeding damage may stimulate trees to produce wound-response tissue beneath the bark. The tissue lifts the overlaying bark producing cracks and fissures.

8. Hulking Cream-Colored Larvae: Longhorn beetle larvae are called “Round-Headed Borers” owing to the rounded segment just behind the head. Native round-headed borer larvae are commonly found in stressed, dying, or dead stems. Finding such larvae in healthy maple stems could point to ALB.

ALB Late Instar Larva

9. Big Beetles: ALB is a large beetle with distinct black and white markings.

ALB Male in Ohio

ALB Female in Ohio

ALB Male and Female Mating Pair

If you find beetles or any of these ALB indicators, report it. In fact, if you find ANY suspicious signs or symptoms, report it! There is no harm in reporting, and it turns out not to be ALB. However, there is great harm if it is ALB, and it's not reported. Give the ALB professionals a chance to investigate.

Here are the ways you can report suspicious symptoms:

- Call the ALB eradication program office at 513-381-7180

- Send an email message to ALB@agri.ohio.gov

- Use the online “OH Dept. of Ag: Plant Pest Reporter Tool” at: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/1b36dd2cf09e4be0a79776a6104ce1dc

NOTE: Always take pictures of the beetles, if possible. If beetles or larvae can be collected, place them in a jar and freeze them for identification.

Ron Wilson

In The Garden With Ron Wilson