Anoplophora glabripennis

Distinguished from other longhorned beetles by the distinctive white starburst pattern on black elytra. The related citrus longhorned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) has similar coloration but can be separated by morphological details and geographic origin. Exit holes created by emerging adults are large (10-15 mm diameter), round, and penetrate through bark into wood. Larval galleries are filled with coarse, sawdust-like frass mixed with fecal material. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) creates similar damage but is smaller and has metallic green coloration.

Urban and suburban forests, tree plantations, and natural woodlands with suitable host trees. In its native range, it shows preference for stressed, dying, or dead trees; in invaded regions, it readily attacks healthy trees. Climate modeling indicates expanding suitable habitats under warming conditions, with greater adaptability to temperature and precipitation fluctuations than related species.

Native to eastern China, Japan, and Korea. Introduced to North America (USA: New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, California, Washington; Canada: Ontario, British Columbia) and Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, Denmark, Finland, Montenegro, Russia). Multiple introduction events have occurred, with evidence of bridgehead invasion from North America to Europe.

Adults are active during spring and summer. Females require approximately two weeks of feeding on twigs and leaves before developing eggs. Virgin females begin producing sufficient pheromone blends at approximately 20 days old, corresponding to fertility timing. Larval development may extend more than one year under bark.

Larvae feed on phloem and sapwood of host trees, tunneling through cambium and vascular tissues, eventually penetrating the woody core. Adults feed on tender tissue in tree canopies, particularly leaves and twigs of host species.

• Acer - primary hostMaples are preferred hosts in North America; significant threat to maple syrup industry
• Populus - primary hostMain host in native China
• Salix - primary hostMain host in native China
• Ulmus - primary hostConfirmed complete life cycle host
• Betula - primary hostPaper birch and related species
• Aesculus - primary hostHorse chestnut/buckeye
• Fraxinus - primary hostAsh species
• Platanus - primary hostSycamore
• Cercidiphyllum - primary hostKatsura tree
• Elaeagnus angustifolia - resistant hostHas been reported to exhibit resistance mechanisms
• Albizia julibrissin - secondary hostLimited exit hole records; may be poor or unattractive host
• Corylus colurna - secondary hostLimited records
• Fagus sylvatica - secondary hostEuropean beech
• Koelreuteria paniculata - secondary hostGolden raintree
• Malus domestica - secondary hostApple; potential fruit tree damage in Japan
• Pyrus bretschneideri - secondary hostPear
• Sorbus aucuparia - secondary hostMountain ash

Eggs are deposited in ragged egg niches chewed into bark of trunks and large branches. Larvae hatch and bore through cambium and vascular tissues, feeding on phloem and sapwood; development may exceed one year. Larvae pupate in wood, then adults emerge through large round exit holes. Adults feed on canopy foliage before mating. Females lay 30-178 eggs in their lifetime.

Adults are capable of flight; well-fed older beetles (more than five days post-emergence) exhibit maximum flight performance, with some individuals flying up to 8.5 miles in 24 hours, though average flight distance is 1.4 miles. Females deposit sex-specific trail pheromones on tree surfaces to attract males; these trails contain 2-methyldocosane and (Z)-9-tricosene as major components. The pheromone attracts males but repels virgin females, possibly reducing mate competition. Mated females continue producing pheromone, facilitating multiple matings. Larvae eject frass from galleries, creating visible sawdust-like accumulations at tree bases.

As a primary wood-borer, larvae kill living tissues and create structural damage to trees. In native range, contributes to nutrient cycling by attacking stressed or dead trees; in invaded regions, functions as a destructive pest of healthy urban forests. No documented effects on native cerambycid faunas in invaded areas based on preliminary studies.

Major economic and ecological threat to urban forests and hardwood industries. Responsible for destruction of tens of thousands of trees in quarantine zones. Potential impact estimated at 34.9% loss of urban tree canopy cover if uncontrolled, with economic value exceeding $669 billion. Threatens maple syrup production in northeastern United States. Subject to strict quarantine regulations and eradication programs involving tree removal, chipping, and preventive insecticide application. Citizen scientists have played crucial role in detecting new infestations. Biocontrol research has investigated entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria and Metarhizium species), nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae), and bacterial biopesticides, though these remain backup options rather than primary control methods.

• Anoplophora chinensisSimilar size, coloration, and morphology; both are invasive longhorned beetles from Asia. Distinguished by subtle morphological differences and allopatric native ranges (A. chinensis from southern China and Southeast Asia). A. glabripennis has greater chemosensory gene repertoire correlating with broader host range.
• Agrilus planipennisBoth are invasive wood-boring beetles causing tree mortality, but A. planipennis (emerald ash borer) is smaller, metallic green, and specifically attacks Fraxinus species, creating D-shaped exit holes rather than round ones.

• invasive species
• forest pest
• wood-borer
• urban forestry
• biocontrol
• polyphagous
• quarantine pest
• cerambycidae

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
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• Anoplophora glabripennis . [Distribution map].
• Anoplophora glabripennis . [Distribution map].
• Anoplophora glabripennis . [Distribution map].
• Anoplophora glabripennis . [Distribution map].
• Host plants of Anoplophora glabripennis, a review
• Invasion du capricorne asiatique Anoplophora glabripennis : génétique, traits d’histoire de vie et écologie
• Response of adultAnoplophora glabripennis(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) to host-derived isothiocyanates
• Niche change and distribution dynamics of Anoplophora chinensis and Anoplophora glabripennis in China: Implications for pest control
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• Genomic content of chemosensory genes correlates with host range in wood-boring beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae, Agrilus planipennis, and Anoplophora glabripennis)
• Genomic content of chemosensory genes correlates with host range in wood-boring beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae, Agrilus planipennis, and Anoplophora glabripennis)
• Reproductive Behaviors of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Laboratory
• Silencing the Odorant Co-Receptor (Orco) in Anoplophora Glabripennis Disrupts Responses to Pheromones and Host Volatiles
• Contrasting diets reveal metabolic plasticity in the tree-killing beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)
• Comparative Metabolic Defense Responses of Three Tree Species to the Supplemental Feeding Behavior of Anoplophora glabripennis.
• Interactions at the Oviposition Scar: Molecular and Metabolic Insights into Elaeagnus angustifolia's Resistance Response to Anoplophora glabripennis.
• Anoplophora glabripennis, an invasive longhorned beetle, has the potential to damage fruit trees in Japan.
• Complex European invasion history of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky): new insights in its population genomic differentiation using genotype-by-sequencing.