Asian longhorn beetle found in Kent, England

Date: 2nd April 2012

Government’s Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) has issued an urgent warning and plea for help from all stakeholders subsequent to an outbreak of the Asian longhorn beetle (ALB) being found in Kent, England.

STOP PRESS: Arboriculturists invited to see the damage first hand on 12 April, click here for details of this free event.

ALB is an exotic beetle pest which could have severe consequences for British trees. This is the first time an outbreak of this pest has been found in the UK and it is being treated extremely seriously. Fera and the Forestry Commission are taking urgent steps to try to eradicate the outbreak before it has the chance to spread further afield.

Fera is urging all stakeholders to be alert for this very distinctive species. If you suspect you have seen an ALB, or evidence of its presence, please contact the Fera Plant Health Helpline 0844 2480071 or email planthealth.info@fera.gsi.gov.uk. If possible, the beetle should be caught and placed in a secure container so that an Inspector can collect it. The beetles are not harmful to humans, though they should be handled with caution as they can nip the skin.

For more information please follow these links:

Fera Press Release

(including link to video of the near identical species Citrus Longhorn Beetle) —
http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/showNews.cfm?id=529

The following images are of Citrus Longhorn Beetle which is almost identical in appearance to ALB (images from European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)):

Image of Citrus longhorn beetle larvae