Female of the Tsuyahadagomadara longhorn beetle, which has expanded to nine cities in the prefecture (provided by the prefecture)
Tree damage caused by the longhorn beetle, the longhorn beetle, is rapidly spreading. It resembles the native species, the long-eared longhorn beetle, but it is a “specified alien species” that was first confirmed in Ibaraki Prefecture in 2021 on a roadside tree in Tsukuba City. It is currently breeding and expanding in nine cities, mainly in the western and southern parts of the prefecture. Since it is a new pest, there is no effective way to exterminate it other than cutting down the tree. (Keiji Dekita)
The long-eared beetle is native to mainland China and the Korean peninsula. Adults are about 20 to 35 mm long, with females being slightly larger. The color is shiny black with white spots. Trees affected include Rose of Sharon, Japanese Maple, and Sugar Maple. The female makes a hollow in the tree and lays her eggs, and the larvae feed on the inside of the tree.
According to the prefecture’s Environmental Policy Division, it was first confirmed to be inhabiting Yokohama in 2002, and at that time they were successfully exterminated through cutting and incineration.
However, it was found again in Kobe City in 2021, and as of 2022 it has been confirmed in 11 prefectures including Fukushima, Chiba, and Yamaguchi. In September of this year, the Ministry of the Environment designated it as a designated invasive species due to the risk of damaging the ecosystem.
Damage to horse chestnut trees and wigeon trees has so far been reported in nine cities in the prefecture: Mito, Tsuchiura, Koga, Ishioka, Shimotsuma, Kasama, Tsukuba, Sakuragawa, and Omitama. Because it is difficult to distinguish from the native Gomadara beetles, “it is possible that they are already breeding in other areas without us noticing that they have established themselves,” says Yasuhiro Sasaki, a natural environment researcher.
Specified alien species are prohibited from being kept or transported alive. “If you find this longhorn beetle, please get rid of it on the spot and contact the prefecture or municipal department in charge,” said Hitoshi Shoji, deputy counselor of the prefecture’s environmental policy division.
◆60 Katsura trees are in a sad state at Kasama Art Forest Park, a prefectural facility.
The stumps of cut-down wigs remain along the park’s main street in Kasama City.
At the Kasama Art Forest Park, a prefectural facility in Kasama City, about 60 Katsura trees on the main street were damaged by the Japanese longhorn beetle. Along the street, the stumps left behind after being felled are showing their painful appearance.
In the park, trees along the “south promenade” that extends to the Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum were damaged this summer. Officials found evidence of feeding damage about 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter on the trunk of the tree.
A wig at Kasama Art Forest Park with a hole in its trunk due to damage from the Japanese longhorn beetle (provided by the prefecture)
Later, it was discovered that the damage was not limited to this area, but had spread to the entire 39-hectare park. The Prefectural Urban Development Division is proceeding with the removal of damaged trees, saying, “We must prevent trees from falling or branches from falling and injuring visitors.”
A representative from the division explained, “The tree felling was necessary to prevent further damage.” “The south promenade is also the entrance to the park (where we welcome visitors). We will have to think about things like replanting trees in the future,” he said.
2023-11-22 22:57:31
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