Longhorn Zambia

[Gladys Anick]

Theflat faced longhorn beetles (Lamiinae) is a sub-family of Cerambycidae. This sub-family contains some of the most striking longhorn beetles in the world. As with most families or sub-families, the Lamiinae also have species that are relatively plain (without colorful markings ), which are just as intriguing.

This project does not have the specific aim of gathering all observations of the Lamiinae on Ispot in one place (that can be very easily done in the search engine of Ispot), but rather to gather Ispotters with an interest (however small) in these beetles. As such we wish this project site will become a discussion site where all things related to the flat faced longhorn beetles are discussed.

The review is mainly based on Chinese literature and intended to reveal the rather concealed but present knowledge to a wider audience, especially for those countries that were recently invaded or are at threat to be invaded.

The insect is regarded as one of the most destructive longhorn beetle pests of fruit trees in lowland areas of China where economic losses to Prunus species, such as apricot and peach, can be substantial and threaten economic development and food security.

In Italy, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) states, Aromia bungii has severely damaged or killed several hundred apricot, cherry and plum trees that have succumbed to larval attack that leads them to become more susceptible to disease.

Scientists from the MARA-CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety and European Laboratory joined colleagues from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agroscope and the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) on the study which highlights that sustainable control tools are needed for the management of this emerging pest.

Dr Tim Haye, Head Arthropod Biological Control at CABI, and an author of the paper, said, The pest exhibits an adaptable lifecycle, a high reproductive output, and the larvae live concealed under the bark of invested trees, which are traits that promote its invasiveness.

Dr Haye said current control methods rely upon the labour-intensive physical removal of infested trees. Although native parasitoid natural enemies of A. bungii provide control in Chinese orchards, none are appropriate for classical biological control in invaded areas due to biosafety concerns surrounding their broad host ranges. However, entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes may provide viable options for biological control in invaded ranges.

Dr Jinping Zhang, of the MARA-CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety, said, Recent advancements in semiochemical baited traps may provide sustainable, target-specific, and efficacious methods to monitor and control A. bungii.

The scientists argue that classical biological control against A. bungii may not be viable due to biosafety risks, but targeted natural enemy surveys would provide greater clarity on the potential for this approach.

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