General Impact
The genera Anoplophora consists of xylophagous wood-boring bark and longhorned beetles which bore through and damage the xylem vessels of woody plants (xylem transports water and minerals throughout the tree). Anoplophora mainly infests weakened, dying or dead trees but, unlike many other borer pests, the citrus longhorn may also attack healthy trees (Chambers 2002, in Gyeltshen and Hodges 2005; Forest Research Institute 2007). Please see NUTRITION subheading on this page for a list of host plants. The citrus longhorn damages different parts of the plant during different stages of the life-cycle. Adults feed on the tender bark of small twigs and branches and sometimes on the leaf petioles (stalks); this causes young shoots and branches to die (Maspero et al. Undated; Jucker et al 2006; EPPO 2007). The female chews through the bark of the host tree to the cambial layer, forming ‘egg scars’ (Lingafelter & Hoebeke, 2002, in Maspero et al. Undated). The larvae feed and develop in the wood of the main roots and trunks, within which they excavate tunnels; when larval density is high, infested trees can die or fall down. (Maspero et al>. Undated). Damage by larvae and beetle stages leaves the tree vulnerable to secondary pests and diseases; for example, fungi and other insects produce secondary infections or infestations in the exit holes and larval galleries (EPPO 2007). Impacts in native range: A. chinensis originates from Eastern Asia and is a serious pest of citrus and other ornamental and forest species in Japan, Korea and China (Adachi 1994, in Delvare et al. 2004; Jucker et al. 2006; NPPO 2008). In lowland China the species is one of the most destructive cerambycid pests of fruit orchards, especially citrus; economic losses are substantial (NPPO 2008). The citrus longhorn causes serious damages to many deciduous trees in the genera Populus, Acer and Salix in Eastern Asia (Delvare et al. 2004). It also attacks Aesculus hippocastanum, and species of Betulus, Fraxinus, Morus, Pyrus and Robinia. Impacts in alien range: In its introduced range in Europe A. chinensis poses an economic and ecological threat to horticulture, forestry and woodland trees in the UK and to citrus production in the Mediterranean (DEFRA 2008). In the United States the citrus longhorn has the potential to become a significant pest of forests and native forest ecosystems (NPPO 2008). The citrus longhorn beetle has been given a relative Risk Rating of “Very High Risk” by the North American Forest Commission and its broad host range suggests that it would easily adapt to trees indigenous to North America (NAFC 2001). This insect has been recorded on a wide variety of fruit and nut trees including pecan, Carya illinoensis, and possibly other Carya spp., Juglans spp. (walnut) and other nut producing trees (NAFC 2001). By reducing the numbers of nut-producing trees the citrus longhorn may have a significant and negative impact on the ecosystem, in particular on fauna that depend on these mast-producing trees (NAFC 2001). The impact on fruit and nut trees also poses a significant concern to these agricultural industries (NAFC 2001). Costs of eradication: Between 1996 and 2001, control of a related species - the Asian longhorn beetle - cost the United States over five million dollars (NAFC 2001). Eradication costs for the citrus longhorn and the overall potential impact on the citrus and other agricultural sectors translate to similar if not greater costs.
Location Specific Impacts:Europe Economic/Livelihoods: A pest risk analysis was released in 2008 which concluded that there is a very high probability of establishment of the organism and a high potential of economic damage to several host plants. Reduction in native biodiversity: Host plants of Anoplophora chinensis in Europe, at the end of 2004 include: Maple Acer sp., Boxhelder Acer negundo, Siver maple Acer saccharinum, Norway maple Acer platanoides, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, European hornbeam Carpinus betulus, Hazel Corylus sp., Plane tree Platanus sp., Beech Fagus sylvatica, Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia sp., Apple tree Malus sp., Birch tree Betula sp., Birch tree Betula alba, Silver birch Betula pendula Horse chesnut Aesculus hippocastanum, Poplar Populus sp., Lombardy poplar Populus nigra, Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus, Rose Rosa, Elm Ulmus sp., European cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp., Common oak Quercus robur, Hawthorn Crataegus. Parabiago (Italy) Human nuisance: Shrubs like cherry laurels, Prunus laurocerasus are widely used to make hedges around private yards and are attacked by A. chinensis. Old rose bushes in flower beds separate roadways of some large streets and were found to be attacked by A. chinensis. Reduction in native biodiversity: During 2003–2004 about 400 trees were removed and the bases of 400 others covered with wire mesh cages. In Italy, citrus longhorn beetle primarily attacks species of Acer (48%), Platanus (15%), Betula (14%), Carpinus (7%) and Fagus (5%). Damage has also been found on species of Aesculus, Corylus, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Lagerstroemia, Malus, Populus, Prunus, Rosa, Quercus and Ulmus. Netherlands Economic/Livelihoods: A pest risk analysis was released in 2008 which concluded that there is a very high probability of establishment of the organism and a high potential of economic damage to several host plants. United Kingdom (UK) Economic/Livelihoods: Anoplophora chinensis is a threat to horticulture, forestry and woodland trees in the UK and to citrus production in the Mediterranean (DEFRA 2008). United States (USA) Economic/Livelihoods: Between 1996 and 2001, control of relatively localized infestations of the Asian longhorn beetle in the United States cost over five million United States dollars. If the citrus longhorn beetle were to be established, America face eradication costs similar to this. The impact on the citrus industry would translate to an increase in market prices for the product due to increased costs of production and relative scarcity of the product (NAFC 2001). Ecosystem change: This insect has been recorded on pecan, Carya illinoensis, and many other forest trees. It is reasonable to assume that this insect could also reproduce on other Carya spp., walnut, Juglans spp. and other nut producing trees. By reducing numbers of nut-producing trees it may have a negative impact on the fauna that depend on these mast-producing trees (NAFC 2001). Reduction in native biodiversity: "The Washington State Department of Agriculture declared the following genera (species) of plants as potential hosts for the citrus longhorn beetle (Gyeltshen and Hodges 2005): maples (Acer), silk tree (Albizzia), alders (Alnus), birch (Betula), Camellia, hickory/pecan (Carya), chestnut (Castanea), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria), wild olive (Elaeagnus), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), beech (Fagus), fig (Ficus), 'Nagami' kumquat (Fortunella marginata), ash (Fraxinus), mallow (Hibiscus), holly (Ilex), spicebush (Lindera), amur (Maackia), mulberry (Morus), Photinia, sycamore/plane tree (Platanus), trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), poplars (Populus), cherry/peach/apricot/plum (Prunus), firethorn (Pyracantha), pears (Pyrus), oaks (Quercus), sumac (Rhus), locust (Robinia), rose (Rosa), blackberry/raspberry (Rubus), willows (Salix), pagoda tee (Sophora), Stransvaesia, and snowbell tree (Styrax).
" Washington (United States (USA)) Agricultural: It is unlikely that the single escaped beetle in Lacey represents a significant threat. However an infestation of A. chinensis would pose a significant risk to some agricultural sectors. A. chinensis is polyphagous (feeds on many different kinds of food). Larvae bore into the woody material of living trees and shrubs, including twigs, stems, and roots, which often results in the premature death of young trees. This species is considered one of the most destructive cerambycid pests of fruit orchards, especially citrus, in lowland areas of China. Economic losses can be substantial. This insect also has the potential to become a significant pest of forests and other ecosystems. Economic/Livelihoods: The risk rating for this beetle is very high, and professionals believe that if it becomes established, the impact of this insect could be greater than the more widely known Asian longhorned beetle (NAPIS, 2008). Reduction in native biodiversity: A. chinensis can likely survive well in Seattle’s climate and can potentially feed on locally dominant woodland trees, including Alnus and Acer spp. (Lance 2002).
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