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.
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
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
