How Did The Asian Longhorned Beetle Get To America?

There is a new enemy that is terrorizing America – a bite-sized insect that can take down entire trees! Here’s how the Asian Longhorned Beetle found its way here, and why it is so dangerous.

“Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

When Lazarus wrote these words, little did he know that the Asian Longhorn Beetle would also one day heed the call!

Hide your trees and do your best to keep them from the Asian Longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis).

This wood-boring beetle arrived in America in the 90s and has since wreaked absolute havoc on hardwood trees like oak, teak, and mahogany.

But how did it get here, and why is the government so afraid of this tiny bug? Let’s find out.

Where Is The Asian Longhorn Beetle From?

The shiny black adult beetle with some irregularly shaped white spots and rather long antennae (hence the name longhorn) on its body is native to China and Korea, both Asian countries.

It is also present in other parts of Asia, such as Japan and the Indian subcontinent.

It devoured numerous species of trees, such as poplars, sugar maples, elms, and mulberries, in its homeland. In America, it has found a whole new set of trees to take over.

Where Was It Found in the US?

In the United States, this beetle first came to be known when it was found quite literally taking the life out of ornamental trees in major urban centers like Chicago and New York City.

Since 1996, detections of this exotic species have been made across most states located in the Northeast United States and California.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle was again discovered in Chicago in 1998 and in Jersey City, NJ, in 2002. It made its way to Middlesex and Union counties, New Jersey, in 2004.

Two years later, the insect had already been found touring Staten Island and Prall’s island in the Hudson River.

Fast forward two years and the Asian longhorned beetle reached Worcester and the urban and rural forests of Massachusetts too. In 2011, the beetle was yet again found in Tate Township, Ohio.

In 2020, these beetles were detected in South Carolina.

How Did The Asian Longhorn Beetle Become Invasive?

The beetle is originally found in Asian countries such as Korea and China.

But these wood-hollowing insects traveled from these countries to America by conveniently boarding cargo shipments from China.

They snuck into wood pallets and wood packing materials in these shipments and found their way into the United States.

Unfortunately, the wood used for these boxes and packaging material was untreated, which made it easy for the bugs to hide in them.

In a couple of years, their presence had spread throughout North America like an uncontrollable wildfire.

Why Is There So Much Fuss About This Species?

The Asian longhorned beetle is an Asian native, and yet, it has successfully established itself in America. It has firmly put its legs into the major cities of the continent and refuses to budge.

The larvae of the female beetles devour the wood of trees, their stems, branches, and roots.

They create long galleries inside the tree that eventually snuff out its life. These tunnels hollow the tree out from the inside, leaving nothing but a shell that even a slow wind can take down.

From egg to adult, its life stages take one to three years. Adult beetles come out from trunks and branches by eating their way out and leaving behind enormous, circular holes (0.2-0.5 inches in diameter).

As the insect is new to America, nature has not evolved any natural predators for it here.

The trees in America are ill-prepared to adapt and survive against this species. The damage caused to trees can cause branches to break off or the foundation of trees to give way and fall on unsuspecting pedestrians and cars nearby.

It has become an issue of public security, and despite the hard work put in by many scientists, agencies, and the USDA forest service, the efforts are still on.

The only solution, for now, is to chop off the infested trees.

Economic Impact of Its Infestation

Street and backyard trees have been severely affected by these beetles.

With no proper solution in sight (except perhaps prevention), the infested trees have been removed, destroyed, or replaced at whopping prices (around $100 per infestation).

For example, in New York, damage to maple trees can lead to a catastrophic impact on the maple syrup industry, leading to billions of dollars in damages.

If these beetles are allowed to expand beyond their current range into national forests, it could have dire consequences for the whole economy since they could hollow out millions of acres of hardwood trees.

With the cumulative negative impact on the export of various hardwood-made products and eradication and containment costs, these beetles could single-handedly deliver a mighty blow to the American economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a wanderlust at heart. America, for sure, is ticked off its bucket list. Who can blame these beetles for wanting to live the American Dream?

These insects spell doom for trees and, for now, are seemingly invincible. When will a tangible solution come up? When will our trees be free of these pests? The answers are not yet known.

But hopefully, their reign of terror will soon be over.