Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon - Fri - In-person meetings by appointment only.
703-324-1770 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Parkway
Suite 518, Fairfax, Va 22035
Brian Keightley
Division Director, Urban Forest Management

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Asian Longhorned Beetle
Adult Beetle - 3/4" to 1-1/4" long, with black body and white spots. Long antennae, 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" long with white bands around each antenna segment.
Photo by: Kenneth R. Law, bugwood.org

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a destructive tree pest that is invasive in the US. So far it has been found in New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and South Carolina. Asian longhorned beetles have not yet been found in Fairfax County or anywhere in Virginia.

A native of China, this wood boring insect was most likely introduced into the US through packing crates. Like many exotic invasive insects, it has no natural predators in the US to control its population. Since Asian longhorned beetles have the potential to significantly impact hardwood forests as well as residential landscape trees, Fairfax County foresters are on the lookout for it. Although this beetle is large, it is usually not detected until an infestation is well-established, so if you have seen this beetle or have possibly seen damage caused by it (see below), please contact the Forest Pest Branch at 703-324-1770, TTY 711, or by email.

How to Keep (Eww!) Asian Longhorned Beetles Out of Our County

Susceptible Trees

Typical host species of the Asian longhorned beetle are boxelder, Norway maple, silver maple, red maple, sugar maple, horsechestnut, willow, American elm, birch and poplar.

Signs and Symptoms of Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestation

Click photo to enlarge

 Living tree with bleeding ALB exit holes and oviposition pits
Living tree with bleeding ALB exit holes and oviposition pits
Photo by: Nathan Bowman, USDA APHIS
Size of ALB Adult
Size of ALB Adult
Photo by: Joe Boggs, Ohio State University, bugwood.org
Size of ALB exit hole
Size of ALB exit hole
Photo by: Joe Boggs, Ohio State University, bugwood.org

 

The only way to treat and successfully eradicate an ALB infestation is with whole tree removal.

Tree Removal Massachusettes
Tree Removal - Massachusettes
Photo by: Michael T. Smith, bugwood.org
Tree Removal New Jersey
Tree Removal New Jersey
Photo by: Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Dept. of Agriculture, bugwood.org
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