How do Velvet Longhorn t r a c k i n g Beetle populations move the to new areas?

That is still unclear. The adult beetle is capable of flight, so that is probably Velvet one method. It is also assumed that larvae can be transported if wood, or Longhorn wood products, containing living lar- vae are moved – firewood, timber, For more information on other invasive insect Beetle lumber, infested packing crates, etc. species of concern in Idaho and how you can Transportation inside infested nurse- help keep them out or help stop their establish- An expanding threat in the U.S.? ry stock would also seem to be a logi- ment/spread if they arrive here, please go to the cal infestation pathway, however, Idaho State Department of Agriculture website at there has been no confirmed recorded evidence of this occurring, yet. http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/PlantsIn sects/RegulatedAndInvasiveInsects/Insectsform reports.php

Some invasive species, when transported to a new area, become established quickly and spread like If you think you’ve encountered a Velvet wildfire. Others take root in their new Longhorn Beetle please take a clear dig- home and infestations grow slowly. ital photograph or collect the specimen The Velvet Longhorn Beetle, recently in a plastic container and get the photo/ introduced into North America from specimen to your local Extension Office Asia, appears to be one in the latter or contact the Idaho State Department category. Its potential impact is still of Agriculture (208-332-8620) to have under evaluation. Knowing where it is, the identification verified to aid in un- Idaho State Department of Agriculture and size of the populations, is very important to understanding its role as derstanding the movement and effect of 2270 Old Penitentiary Road a potential new pest. this new insect in the U.S. Boise, Idaho 83712 Phone: 208-332-8620 www.agri.idaho.gov

What Velvet Longhorn Beetle Identification Infestation History and Biology Beetle can damage Velvet Longhorn Beetle, Trichoferus campestris It is a threat to urban, orchard and ri- (Faldermann), is native to China, Japan, Korea, parian woodlots as it attacks living Mongolia and Russia. Its earliest record in North trees. Preferred hosts are: America was a capture in New Jersey in 1999.  Apple Shortly after that, in 2002, a single specimen was  Crabapple  Mulberry picked up in Quebec, Canada. Another was found It will also feed on wood of: in Quebec in 2006 and in Rhode Island that same  Paper Mulberry  Birch year. Small numbers have been found in New Jer-  Honey Locust  Spruce sey in 2007 and 2013, Ohio in 2009/2010, Illinois  Mountain Ash  Pine The adult, 10-20 mm long, which can in 2009/2010/2011, Minnesota in 2010, Colora-  Fir  Willow be various shades of brown, is parallel- do in 2013 and New York in 2014. To date it has  Larch  Cherry sided, with antennae approximately been found over a fairly widespread area, howev-  Locust  Peach 2/3 the length of the body. Its appear-  Maple  Elm er, overall number of beetles has been rather low. ance is similar to many other long- At this point it has not been determined horned wood-boring beetles, however, whether the beetle prefers healthy or the thorax and elytra (wing covers) are stressed/dying trees (if it does have a Utah, so far, appears to have the largest detecta- coated with tiny white hairs, often giv- preference). When trees are infested ble population. The first year it was seen there, ing it a “velvet-like” appearance. The they exhibit thinning or yellowing of the 2010, only four were captured. None were found hairs may be distributed irregularly in canopy, epicormic shoots, frass deposits the following year, but in 2012 eleven showed up patches. at the tree base and exit holes on trunks in traps for general beetle monitoring. That num- Adults are nocturnal and can be found and branches. There may be an impact ber increased to 142 beetles in 2013 followed by attracted to lights. They fly from June on fruit yield and/or tree longevity. 408 in 2014 – captured in several different types through August and lay eggs on the of traps, and some even reared out of infested bark of host trees. Larvae, which peach and cherry trees. emerge from the eggs, tunnel into the tree and, when small, feed beneath the Currently there is no known chemical attractant bark. They eventually tunnel into the for Velvet Longhorn Beetle, so surveying for them wood. Winter is spent there as a larva relies on visual inspection of plants in likely situa- and pupation occurs in the spring. A tions/habitats. These include orchards, pallet single generation may take one or two manufacturing and lumber processing operations years depending on wood quality and and locations where imported wood products or climate. other imported commodities shipped in wooden crates are stored or redistributed. UV light traps Velvet Longhorn Beetle has also been can also be used to attempt to locate them, and found feeding on dead, dry wood, such they have turned up in general insect survey as timber or lumber. It appears able to traps on occasion. use any species of dead tree including conifers.