Hobbies And Interests
Identification
The Asian longhorned beetle possesses a striking pair of banded black-and-white antennae, which are longer in length than its actual body. It also has blue legs and glossy black-with-white markings on its body.
Preference for Hardwoods
The Asian longhorned beetle favors hardwood trees, such as elm, maple, poplar, and birch. It feeds on the leaves, twigs, and young bark of the trees it encounters.
Egg Laying
When females are ready to lay eggs, they carve out small nests in the bark of trees and deposit 35-90 eggs at a time. Then, when the eggs hatch, the larvae actually bore their way into the tree. Over time, this action damages the nutrient-carrying system of the tree, resulting eventually in the tree's destruction.
Adult Asian Longhorned Beetles
Mature beetles emerge from trees between late May and October. They will grow to a size of 1 to 1 1/2 inches.
Presence in the U.S.
At present, Asian longhorned beetles have been found only in certain parts of the United States and Canada: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and the areas in and around Chicago and Toronto. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has led a strong effort to fight and eradicate the Asian longhorned beetle in the U.S.
Preventing Infestation
The Department of Agriculture and many U.S. states have published guides to raise awareness about the Asian longhorned beetle and to combat infestation. There is also cooperation between the United States and various nations in Asia to address the problem.