What Kind of Damage Can the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cause?
Both larval and adult beetles feed on living tree tissue. Immature insects, growing inside the tree, bore through tissue that carries water from tree roots and nutrients from the leafy canopy above. Once the pest has sufficiently disrupted those pathways, the infected tree will die. Unseasonable yellow or drooping leaves when the weather has not been especially dry are signs that Asian Longhorned Beetle is present. Beetles leave behind deep, perfectly round exit holes somewhat larger than the diameter of a pencil. Tree exit holes may ooze sap, and deposits of frass (insect waste and sawdust) may collect at tree trunk and tree limb bases. Egg deposit sites can be found by looking for 1/4-inch to 1/2- inch dimpled impressions in tree bark. Both aerial and ground inspections may be conducted to find signs and symptoms of Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation. Asian Longhorned Beetle primarily damages and kills maple trees, including boxelder, red, silver and sugar maple; birch; elm; willow;
