Japanese cedar longhorn beetle
(Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky, 1860))

Overview

Origin

Callidiellum rufipenne, the Japanese cedar longhorned beetle, is a wood-boring beetle that is native to East Asia. It is a pest of conifers.

Life Cycle

C. rufipenne completes one generation per year. Females lay eggs in bark crevices. The approximate lifespan of adults is less than 20 days. Females usually begin to lay eggs from 1-3 days after emergence from the host tree. Females lay eggs over a two week period. Female C. rufipenne seems to be able to lay eggs without feeding beforehand. The larvae enter the bark and construct shallow galleries after hatching. They feed on the phloem and cambium layers. Then the fully mature larvae enter the xylem to begin pupation. They overwinter as adults and then chew through the bark to emerge in early spring.

Distribution

C. rufipenne has become established in several areas along both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of the United States, Italy, Spain and New Zealand. In its introduced range in the United States hosts include: eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana; American arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis; juniper, Juniperus communis; and Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa.

Control Efforts

The most effective control for C. rufipenne is to destroy infested material by chipping or burning. Adults can be controlled with several chemical insecticides. Check with your local County Extension agent or County Forester for recommendations. Quarantine zones have been established in some areas where C. rufipenne has been found.

Resources

• Pest Alert - USDA APHIS PPQ
• Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky) - Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
• New Hampshire Prohibited Invasive Species
• North American Forest Commission Exotic Forest Pest Information System
• South Carolina Plant Pest List
• To be proposed for MISC

References