Potential Effects of Anoplophora glabripennis on Urban Trees in the United States

Recent infestations of the Longhorned Beetle, a wood borer native to Asia, Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky have lead to the removal of thousands of infested urban trees. In an attempt to eradicate these beetle populations, thousands of infested city trees have been removed in the United States. Field data from nine US cities and national tree cover data were used to estimate the potential effects of this infestations on urban resources through time. These cities include Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Jersey City, NJ; New York,NY; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia, PA and Syracuse, NY. For the cities analyzed, the potential tree resources at risk to attack ranged from 12 to 61% of the city tree populations. Corresponding canopy cover loss they would occur if all preferred host trees were killed ranged from 13 to 68%. The estimated maximum potential impact of Anoplophora glabripennis is loss of 34.9% of total canopy cover, 30.3% tree mortality at a value of 669 billion dollars nationally.

Keywords: Forest Health; Economics; Insects; Research

Publisher: Journal of Economic Entomology 94(1): 116-122 (2002)

Category: Plant Health