Native to Japan, Korea, and southern China, Anoplophora glabripennis is a newcomer to North America. Longhorn beetles usually attack stressed, diseased, and dying trees. However, A. glabripennis seems to be an exception to this general rule and there is concern that this exotic insect will become a major pest in the United States. Adults are shiny black with white blotches on their hardened outer wings. Their antennae are long with alternating black and white banding on each segment.
Females lay eggs in oval crevices which they chew in the bark.
Larvae bore into the tree and tunnel in the wood. Winding larval galleries weaken and may kill an otherwise healthy, vigorous tree. Presently, the only effective method to limit spread is to cut infested trees and run all wood through a chipper. Total removal of mature trees from community forests or along streets is having an enormous impact in affected communities. Although the presence of this potentially destructive tree pest in Delaware has not yet been confirmed, it is imperative that we do not allow it to become established as it represents a significant threat to many of our native trees.