Recap of April 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In April, we started learning about wood-boring insects—bugs that tunnel into trees! Many of these insects are beetles, especially those in three big families: Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionidae. This month’s webinar focused on jewel beetles (Buprestidae) and longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae). Next month, in May, we’ll take a closer look at bark beetles (Curculionidae).
While we learned about a few others, two key invasive beetles we talked about in the webinar were the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. These beetles have been introduced to the U.S. and cause serious damage to forests. As of April 2025, they have not been found in Florida—but they are a big concern.
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is native to East Asia. It was first found in the U.S. in 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. Since then, it has spread to 36 states, including nearby Alabama and Georgia. It is suspected to have first arrived to the US on wood packing materials. This beetle attacks ash trees, and Florida has four native ash species that could be at risk if the emerald ash borer makes it here.
The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is native to China and Korea. It has been found in the U.S. before and even eradicated in some areas. However, it is currently in Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and most recently, South Carolina. In these states, there are quarantines and ongoing eradication efforts to get rid of this pest. This beetle attacks many types of hardwood trees, like maple, elm, willow, and poplar.
How Do These Beetles Harm Trees?
Both of these beetles, and many other wood boring beetles, have larvae that tunnel inside tree trunks, creating tunnels under the bark. This hidden damage can cause branches to die, weaken the tree, and eventually kill it. Other signs of infestation include:
Exit holes where adult beetles emerge
Cracked bark
Pitting (small holes or dents in the bark)
If you think you’ve spotted either of these beetles in Florida, report it! Early detection is key to protecting our trees.
Resources on Invasive Wood-Boring Insects
USDA, APHIS Resources on Emerald Ash Borer
USDA, APHIS Resources on Asian Longhorned Beetle
ASK IFAS Citrus Longhorned Beetle Article
USDA Resources on Wood Packing Materials and ISPM 15
Want to watch the recording?
What is the upcoming schedule?
We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2025. Maybe longer too! Please visit this blog for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept. 2024-2025.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu
Or
Visit the Florida First Detector Website
The post April First Friday with Florida First Detector appeared first on UF/IFAS Pest Alert.
Recap of April 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector In April, we started learning about wood-boring insects—bugs that tunnel into trees! Many of these insects are beetles, especially those in three big families: Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionidae. This month’s webinar focused on jewel beetles (Buprestidae) and longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae). Next month, in May, we’ll
The post April First Friday with Florida First Detector appeared first on UF/IFAS Pest Alert.
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Source: UF/IFAS Pest Alert
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