Clemson Extension Forestry and Wildlife

Asian Longhorned Beetle Detected in South Carolina

Figure 1. Picture of Asian Longhorned Beetle. Photo credit: Dave Coyle, Clemson Extension
Figure 1.
Picture of Asian Longhorned Beetle.
Photo credit: Dave Coyle, Clemson Extension

The Asian longhorned beetle has been found near Hollywood, SC. This invasive tree pest primarily attacks maples (especially red maple) but also elms, willows, birches, and several other tree species. Clemson Regulatory Services, Clemson Extension, and USDA APHIS need your help in detecting this beetle, which is currently found only in Charleston County. Adults are large (up to 1 ñ” long) black beetles with white spots, black and white striped antennae, and bluish feet. Signs of ALB include large, pencil-sized holes on trees, bleeding from wounds on the trunk, and conical, chewed-out marks on the trunk. There are several native beetles that look similar to ALB, and Clemson Extension has prepared several fact sheets and blogs to help you identify ALB. If you think you’ve seen ALB, please contact the Clemson Department of Plant Industry at invasives@clemson.edu or by calling 864-646-2140.

Figure 2. Picture of Asian Longhorned Beetle damage. Photo credit: Dave Coyle, Clemson Extension
Figure 2.
Picture of Asian Longhorned Beetle damage.
Photo credit: Dave Coyle, Clemson Extension

Additional Resources

Clemson HGIC fact sheet: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/asian-longhorned-beetle/

Clemson HGIC blog post: https://hgic.clemson.edu/asian-longhorned-beetle-a-new-invasive-tree-pest-insouth-carolina/

Clemson Regulatory services: https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/plant-pestregulations/state-plant-pest-information/pest-alerts/alb.html

Video from Don’t Move Firewood on ALB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbxsJj68Ezc

Don’t Move Firewood program: https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2020 Version of CU in The Woods newsletter.

Author(s)

Dave Coyle, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Specialist

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