Introduction to Longhorn Beetles

Asian Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) and Citrus Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) are closely related and very similar looking beetles with highly damaging wood boring larvae (grubs).

They are native to parts of SE Asia (China, Korea and Japan) and over the past 20 years small numbers of individual beetles have been intercepted in the UK apparently having come into the country as larvae hidden inside either wood packaging material, potted trees for planting out (Acer species in particular ) or Bonsai specimens. Early in 2012 a small breeding colony of A.glabripennis was discovered in Kent and the Forestry Commission and Food & Environment Research Agency initiated an eradication programme.

The outbreak appears to have been eliminated but monitoring of the area will continue for some time to come.