Bundesamt und Forschungszentrum für Wald (BFW)- Index Austrian Federal Office and Research Centre for Forests (BFW) | Forest Protection | Entomology
News on the Asiatic Longhorn-Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) in Braunau/Austria
Tomiczek Ch., Krehan H., Hoyer U. German
ONLINE publications: Krehan | Tomiczek Publication list: Krehan | Tomiczek

  Verbreitung ALB Braunau

Spread of ALB in Braunau

 ALB Larve

ALB - larva

 ALB Fraßbild

ALB-feeding pattern

 Verifizierung des ALB-Befalles an Blutbuche

Purple beech: diagnosis of ALB

 Mon.sartor (fem.), Anopl.glabr.(male)

Mon.sartor (fem., left), Anopl.glabr.(male, right)

 genetische

genetic "fingerprints"

No "All clear" signal

Despite intense efforts by the responsible authorities, the dangerous quarantine organism could not be successfully eradicated in the area of "Braunau am Inn", Austria. Up to now 65 (5 of these in 2003 until July) attacked trees were discovered in the urban area and near to the road B 148 as well as in a district of the town Ranshofen (map)The trees were cut subsequently on site, chopped and the material burnt. From 2001 on 112 adult Asian longhorn beetles were trapped on this occasion. Identification of early symptoms (egg layers, feeding injuries by larvae) was performed in the crowns with the help of hoists.

Tree species infested

In the first year only maples were discovered showing the characteristic damage, while in the meantime the host spectrum has widened: in addition to 57 maples , - silver maples (Acer saccharinum), sycamore maples (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Norway maples (Acer platanoides), 3 beeches (Fagus sylvatica), 2 Purple beeches (Fagus sylvatica forma purpurea) - previously unknown as host species!, 1 plane tree (Platanus sp.) and one horse chestnut(Aesculus hippocastanum) hosted living stages of the ALB.

Duration of development

According to the present results, it takes between one and a half to two years for the ALB in the area of Braunau to finish its development from egg to imago. In the laboratory of the BFW, where several larvae are kept under quarantine conditions, two larvae pupated one year after they had emerged. A cyle of one year appearently requires optimal climatic conditions without frost periods. The beetles emerge about three weeks after pupation (Pupa).

Possibilities of errors

Adult beetles may be mistaken most likely for the Rosalia Longhorn beetle (Rosalia alpina) or for species of the genus Monochamus (in Europe only on conifers, in the photo left). A clear diagnosis on the basis of other developmental stages is more difficult:
  • Larvae (ALB, Large Poplar Longhorned Beetle = Saperda carcharias, S. octopunctata, Japanese pine sawyer beetle(Monochamus alternatus)
  • Pupae- (ALB , S. perforata) or
  • egg-stage(ALB-egg).

    • The adult Saperda-beetles, however, are distinctly different from the ALB (Large Poplar Longhorned Beetle = S. carcharias, S. octopunctata , Japanese pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus alternatus).
    Symptoms produced by the ALB (1; 2; 3) maybe mistaken for those of the Large Poplar Longhorned Beetle, the Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina) or the Goat moth (Cossus cossus).

    New diagnostic methods

    A molecular biological diagnostic tool was developed at the department of Forest Protection in collaboration with the Institute of Forest Entomology, Forest Pathology and Forest Protection of the University of Agriculture, Vienna. Under a project financed by the BMLFUW, ALB-specific genetic "fingerprints" were elaborated, which enable a clear identification even of eggs, larvae and pupae.
    Contact: e-mail: ute.hoyer@bfw.gv.at
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    5.8.2003 Info: Ute Hoyer     		Index | Forest Protection | Search