Drought-induced-outbreak
Guides
Phoracantha
Eucalyptus Longhorn Beetles
Phoracantha is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 40 species, native to Australia and New Guinea. The genus was revised by Wang (1995), who synonymized Tryphocaria with Phoracantha and described nine new species. Species in this genus are primarily associated with Eucalyptus trees, with several species—particularly P. semipunctata and P. recurva—having achieved global distribution as invasive pests following introduction to regions where eucalypts have been planted. These beetles colonize the phloem of host trees and can cause significant mortality, especially during drought conditions when tree defenses are compromised.