Citrus Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis)
The Citrus longhorn beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) is a serious invasive pest that is found in South East Asia. It is listed in the Plant Health Directive and a specific EU Decision is in place to minimise the risk of introductions and to control any findings. Citrus longhorn beetles can infest a very wide range of broadleaved trees and would be a major threat to horticulture and the wider environment if they became established. The larvae feed undetected on the inside of trees leaving them weakened and susceptible to further pest and disease damage. Most of the Citrus longhorn beetles that have been found to date in the UK have been associated with Japanese maple trees imported from China.
In May 2010 the Standing Committee on Plant Health agreed to strengthen the EU's protection against this pest, including a suspension (until May 2012) of imports of maple trees from China, the main source of findings of the pest in the EU. Import requirements remain in place for all countries where the pest is known to be present (China, Japan, South-Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar).
Latest news
- New European Commission emergency measures - Friday 30 March 2012
- Citrus longhorn beetle finding in Manchester - Monday 19 September 2011
- Citrus longhorn beetle find in Rutland - News update - Friday 13th August 2010
- Citrus longhorn beetles intercepted in the UK - Friday 30th July 2010
- Commission Decision 2010/380/EU - Emergency measures to prevent the introduction into the Union of Anoplophora chinensis (Update Monday 19 July 2010)
- A reminder to be vigilant - Citrus longhorn beetle (Thursday 3 June 2010)
- New requirements to protect against Citrus longhorn beetle (Tuesday 11 May 2010)
- Outbreak of Citrus longhorn beetle in the Netherlands - further update (Thursday 22 April 2010)
- Outbreak of Citrus longhorn beetle in the Netherlands - update (Wednesday 7 April 2010)
- Suspected finding of Citrus longhorn beetle in the Midlands - update (Monday 29th March 2010)
- Suspected finding of Citrus longhorn beetle in the Midlands (Friday 26th March 2010)
- Outbreak of Citrus longhorn beetle in the Netherlands (Tuesday 16th February 2010)
| Useful Info | Useful Guides |
|---|---|
| EPPO images | Citrus Longhorn Beetle Factsheet |
| Citrus longhorn beetle videos | |
| Differentiating Anoplophora longhorn beetle damage from that of native wood-boring insects |
Members of the horticultural trade and the public are urged to be vigilant for signs of this pest. The factsheet and video under the "Useful Guides" section provide useful information on what to look out for. Anybody finding one of these distinctive beetles should isolate the beetle (best in a sealed glass jar) and contact the Fera Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI). The PHSI should also be notified if there is other evidence of infestation by the citrus longhorn beetle.