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Callidiellum villosulum
Brown Fir Longhorned Beetle
Synonym(s):
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cerambycidae
Photographer: Purdue Extension
Source:
Description
Adult Description: Adults are 6-12 mm long, chestnut brown color, the entire body is thinly covered with long grayish setae. The head and thorax have shallow pits and square-shaped frons. There is a transverse ridge between the brownish-black antennae. The male antennae are slightly longer than the body, whereas the female antennae are about two-thirds of the body length. The scape of the antennae are coarsely punctured. The prothorax is wider than its length, and the two sides are rounded with no lateral spikes. The prothorax has some hardly visible raised tubercles. The ventral portion of the thorax and the femur of all appendages are brownish-red and thickened.
If you think you have spotted a Brown Fir Longhorned Beetle REPORT IT here
Larva Description: Larvae are about 10 mm long, light yellow in color, and the body is slightly flat. The mouthparts are blackish-brown. The pronotum has a pair of brown markings.The thoracic legs are receded. Pupae are 7-10 mm long, oval shaped, and cream colored. Antennae are kept close to the sides of the body and bend back near the second pair of thoracic legs
Host Plant: Chinese fir, Cunninghamia lanceolata and Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica
Ecological Threat: Prefers trees of the family Taxodiaceae. North American examples include the sequoia, redwood, and bald cypress trees. Further, due to the geographic isolation of some of the Taxodiaceae species, especially the sequoias, an infestation of these beetles could be especially dangerous.
Biology: This beetle appears to be spread by humans, especially in imported trees from China. The adults are capable of flight, but it is unknown if they will be able to distribute themselves great distances.
History: The Brown Fir longhorned beetle has been found in wood trunks of artificial Christmas trees imported from China. Between 1999 and 2001, more than 20 interceptions of this species were recorded. In addition, species poses a threat to indigenous trees such as the bald cypress and redwoods.
U.S. Habitat: Forests.
Distribution
Native Origin: China
U.S. Present: Established populations in North Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana. While currently not established in Texas, individuals have been found at ports including Houston.
If you believe you have found the brown fir longhorned beetle, please report this species.
Distribution in Texas:
Resembles
May be confused with other longhorned beetles
Management
Thorough heat treatment will kill larvae within logs. It is not known if successful control measures have been developed for use in a forest setting.
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Text References
Kelsey, Rick, and Gladwin Joseph. "Ethanol in ponderosa pine as an indicator of physiological injury from fire and its relationship to secondary beetles." Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 33. (2003): 870-884.
Chemsak, John, and Jerry Powell. "Observations on the Larval Habits of Some Callidiini with Special Reference to Callidiellum cupressi (Van Dyke) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)." Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 37.2 (1964): 119-122
Internet Sources:
http://www.spfnic.fs.fed.us
http://www.fs.fed.us
http://www.massnrc.org
Experts:
Dr. Jerry Cook - Sam Houston State University - jcook@shsu.edu
Data Source
