D3211: Trichoferus campestris, an exotic longhorned borer of unknown impact

Nonindigenous forest insects are being introduced to North America with increasing frequency through vehicles such as solid wood packing material, often associated with international trade. Few of these introduced insects establish, and still fewer cause significant harm to their novel ecosystems. Those that do establish, however, can exert devastating impacts to new host plants and associated communities. It can be difficult to predict future impact when an insect is first intercepted, but prioritized research soon after introduction can improve management strategies should interventions become necessary. The velvet longhorned beetle, Trichoferus campestris, (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) has frequently been intercepted in the United States since the 1990s and in Minnesota since 2010. Populations have established in at least three states. Research from the insect’s native range in northeastern Asia suggests that this beetle can infest trees of a wide variety of genera, including both healthy and stressed trees and even dead and dry wood. To date it has not caused notable impacts in North America, but little data exists on its behavior in its introduced range. In this study, we explored ovipositional preferences and larval performance of T. campestris on cut branches of four North American tree species found in the upper Midwest: Malus domestica, Juglans nigra, Acer saccarum, and Pinus strobus. We tested both wood from healthy trees and wood exhibiting symptoms of disease. If T. campestris were to cause harm in its introduced range, our data can inform strategies for management and control.