Destroys Evergreen Nursery Stock

Japanese cedar longhorn beetle Callidiellum rufipenne. Adults emerge from the host in early spring. They are 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-14mm) in length with a slightly flattened body. Adult beetles are often found at the base of crotch where two branches meet. Male have antennae that are slightly longer than their body. They are an iridescent blue-black color with reddish areas on the upper corners of the wing covers (elytra).

The Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle has been found in nurseries across Pennsylvania, and in the home landscape. This newly arriving Asian invasive species prefers to infest Juniper, Cedar, Arborvitae and other evergreen species. It is a wood-boring insect, and it is similar to the Asian Longhorned Beetle, (which is not yet present in Pennsylvania). One nursery reported 40% losses of Cedar production to PDA. If you experience losses to due to an infestation of the Japanese Cedar Longhorn Beetle, please contact PLNA at 717.238.1673 and tell us about it.

You should also contact PDA at (717) 772-5229. PDA and Penn State have begun to research this pest, but much work lies ahead.