Prionus imbricornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest of highbush blueberries in the USA
Prionus imbricornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a species native to the USA, present across the eastern USA, found from New York to Florida and as far west as Kansas and Texas. Larvae bore into and feed on the bark and base of the stems of their host tree before boring down and hollowing out the roots. Confirmed hosts of P. imbricornis include oaks (Quercus spp.), American chestnut (Castanea dentata), and apple trees (Malus spp.)
P. imbricornis has been identified as an emerging pest of blueberries in North Carolina since 2010. This is the first report of Vaccinium as a host. The larvae were found feeding in commercial crops of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Symptoms of infestation include branch dieback observed in early spring, foliar wilting and weakened root systems. It is difficult to detect infestations early as larvae are found within the plants. The infested area in North Carolina has extended over the last 15 years. Infestations are mainly recorded on mature plants (10 to 14-year-old blueberry bushes and a few 5-year-old bushes). It is not mentioned in the article whether young plants for planting could be a pathway for further spread.
Sources
Geisert KA, Powell GS, Lopez L (2026) Prionus imbricornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest in North Carolina blueberries. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 17(1), pmag018. 17. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmag018