Meet the maple nemesis: The Asian long-horned beetle
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EmailThe Asian long-horned beetle has the potential to inflict forest damage in epic proportions.
The Asian long-horned beetle could create a nightmare that would make the emerald ash borer and beech bark disease seem like mere daydreams. And, the emerald ash borer has already cost an estimated $15 billion nationwide.
Well-established Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB) populations would inflict severe damage to our maple resource. Not only would the ALHB significantly diminish our northern forests, but it would also disrupt the social and economic ties.
The ALHB has a long and growing list of host tree species, although they prefer maples. Unlike some exotic pests, the ALHB doesn’t necessarily kill a tree, outright. Rather, it mechanically weakens the tree, creating increased risk of breakage and renders trees unsuitable for forest products.
In Michigan, maples represent about 25 percent of our forest volume (35 percent in the Upper Peninsula) and are common residential trees. Many cities have already suffered the loss of elms and ashes. Sugar maple is, arguably, the most financially valuable tree species in Michigan for forest products, including maple syrup.
The ALHB has a striking appearance. The beetle is one to one and a half inches long and is black with white blotches. The antennae are at least as long as the body and consist of alternating segments of black and white. It is in the family of long-horned beetles, Cerambycidae, which has many native representatives.
Trained observers often look for oviposition sites on tree bark. These sites are shallow excavations where the eggs are laid, circular or oval, about a half-inch across. Fresh oviposition sites have a different color than the bark. The City of Toronto has had some success in ALHB location in this way.
Exit holes in the bark, from emerging adults, are large, about a half-inch across. They are about the size of maple syrup tapping holes. The tree grows over the holes in a year or two, with the scars resembling a belly-button.
Current outbreaks have been identified in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Toronto. Outbreaks have been successfully eradicated (hopefully) in Chicago, New York, and (possibly) Toronto. Detection of the ALHB is difficult. Therefore, “eradication” is declared with caution.
The ALHB has not yet been found in Michigan or Wisconsin. However, vigilance will be required to prevent the beetle from establishing in new territory. Most exotic infestations are brought to the attention of experts by citizens. When more citizens know what to look for, the likelihood of early detection increases.
Unfortunately, the ALHB will not (and is not) the only forest threat from exotic pests. Other important threats include the hemlock woolly adelgid, balsam woolly adelgid, thousand cankers disease, and oak wilt. Michigan has much of the last, largest reserves of eastern hemlock in North America. These pests are among the growing list of reasons to not move firewood.
It is not easy to know about all these threats, or how to separate them from native pest symptoms and cycles. And, most of us face higher priorities in our daily lives. Nevertheless, for those that highly value forest health and urban trees, Michigan State University Extension recommends learning about these pests, which will require an ongoing effort.
