Situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in North America
In 1996, the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) was reported for the first time in USA (New York state: Brooklyn and Amityville) on street and park trees (see EPPO RS 96/214). This insect originates from Asia, and is present in China, Japan and Korea. The insect larvae feeds on many hardwood species (e.g. Acer, Aesculus hippocastanum, Alnus, Morus, Populus, Robinia, Salix, Ulmus). Chemical control is not practical as the insects spend most of their life cycle inside wood, and so far no specific traps are available. In 1998, the pest is still present in New York state. Eradication measures involving removal and destruction of infested trees were taken. It is estimated that the measures taken in New York state have cost more than 4 million USD. In July 1998, A. glabripennis was detected in Chicago (in Ravenswood), Illinois. In September 1998, it is estimated that approximately 300 trees are infested (or potentially infested). In addition to these two outbreaks, it can be noted that A. glabripennis has been found ('intercepted') in 26 warehouse locations scattered in 14 states around the country. It is though that these two introductions may be associated with wood packing material and dunnage from China. Interim measures are requiring that wooden shipping pallets from China should be fumigated or treated to prevent any further introduction.
Canada is also very concerned about this pest, and several information leaflets have been published by the Canadian Forest Service. A Canadian interception of A. glabripennis is already reported in 1992. In 1997, A. glabripennis has been intercepted in British Columbia and Ontario on wooden spools (for cables) and other wood packing materials (e.g. associated with metal tubes). In June 1998, a live adult A. glabripennis was found at a warehouse in Waterloo (Ontario). It is thought that it came with a shipment originating from China. The Canadian Forest Service raises serious concern about the risks of introducing exotic pests with dunnage and wood packing material. Also, Russia has recently added this pest to its quarantine list.
Sources
INTERNET
USDA-APHIS Web site
http://aphis.usda.gov/ao/pubs/fsal.html (Plant protection and quarantine, 1998-09)
http://aphis.usda.gov/ao/alb/albmap.html (map - introductions and interceptions)
NAPIS Web site
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/alb/mgif/alball.gif (US map)
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/alb/mgif/albne.gif (details in New York state and surrounding states)
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/states/il/news98/sr980701.txt (first finding in Chicago, 1998-07-17)
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/states/il/news98/sr980403.ny (situation in New York state)
Illinois Department of Agriculture Web site
http://www.agri.state.il.us/beetle.html (situation in Chicago)
University of Illinois Web site
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/longhorned_beetle/ (pictures)
Canadian Forest Service Web site
http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/health/exotics.htm (Allen, E.A. (1998) Exotic insect interceptions from wooden dunnage and packing material)
http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/biodiversity/exotics/ (Humble, L.M.; Allen, E.A.; Bell, J.D. (1998) Exotic wood-boring beetles in British Columbia: interceptions and establishments)