Asian
Longhorned Beetle
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Biology
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Asian Longhorned
Beetle Lifecycle Diagram
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Click here to view the *jpeg version Click here to view the Adobe Acrobat *pdf version.
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Adult Beetles
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Adult Asian longhorned
beetles are large (0.75 - 1.50 inches long) with very long black and
white banded antennae. The body is glossy black with irregular
white spots. Adults can be seen from late spring to fall
depending on the climate.
Click images for larger view. |
Adult - Male |
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Oviposition Niche
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Females chew through the bark down to the cambium/phloem interface with the xylem, and then turn around and inject an egg (one egg per oviposition niche or site) into the tree, creating a visible oviposition scar on the surface of the tree. Eggs sites are oval or round wounds in the bark (up to 0.5 inch diameter). |
Larvae
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The early stages of the
larvae feed between the xylem and the phloem, the later stages feed
only on the xylem. Mature larvae reach 2.0 inches in length.
Click image for larger view. |
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Pupae
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The larvae then enter the
pupal stage. The pupae are 1.25 inches long. The adults
later emerge and bore their way out of the tree.
Click image for larger view. |
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Emergence Holes
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Adult emergence creates 0.5 inch circular emergence holes that can be seen all year round. The entire process, from egg to adult, lasts 12 to 18 months. |
Read more about the biology of ALB at the Research page