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.