1 Anoplophora chinensis in Lombardy, Italy : an update of the ...

1 

Speaker: Matteo Maspero 

Anoplophora chinensis in Lombardy, 

Italy : an update of the ongoing 

research. 

Mario Colombo, Giovanni D’Angelo, Costanza Jucker, Matteo 

Maspero, Guglielmo Cavalieri, Franck Hérard, Nathalie Ramualde, 

Ute Hoyer – Tomiczek, Gabriele Sauseng, Michael T. Smith, Wu 

Jinquan, Silvio Anderloni, Roberto Musmeci, Stephan Schertler, 

Beniamino Cavagna, Mariangela Ciampitti 

• Fondazione Minoprio – Centro MiRT ‐ Como, Italy 

• DiPSA ‐ Dipartimento di Protezione dei Sistemi Agroalimentare e Urbano e Valorizzazione delle Biodiversità, Università degli Studi di Milano – Milan, Italy 

• EBCL ‐ European Biological Control Laboratory, USDA, ARS ‐ Montpellier, France 

• BWF ‐ Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape ‐ Wien, Austria 

• Centro Forestazione Urbana ‐ Bosco in Città ‐ Milan, Italy 

• BIIRU ‐ Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Lab ‐ USDA‐ARS ‐ Delaware, USA 

• Schertler® SA – Mendrisio, Switzerland 

In cooperation with ERSAF and Lombardy Plant Protection Service 

Work developed under the financial support of the Lombardy Region –DG Agriculture 

All pictures © Matteo Maspero

Introduction 

12 

Colombo, M. & L. Limonta – 2001. 

Anoplophora malasiaca Thomson 

(Coleoptera Cerambycidae Lamiinae Lamiini) 

i) 

in Europe. Bollettino di Zoologia agraria e di 

Bachicoltura, Serie II, 33, 65‐68. 

Revision of the Genus 

Lingafelter, S.W., and E.R. Hoebeke. – 2002. Revision 

of Anoplophora. Entomological Society of 

Washington, 1‐236. 

Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (form malasiaca) 

Citrus longhorn beetle is common 

name for both Anoplophora 

chinensis and Anoplophora 

malasiaca. 

A. chinensis is in synonymy with A. 

malasiaca (Thomson).

Biology and ethology 

13 

Adult with long antennae, 

black and white spotted 

Females ~ 3,13 cm 

Males ~ 274cm 2,74


14 

… as soon as they 

emerge, they go up 

into the crown, 

feeding the bark of 

young twigs…


15 

… then… they mate and 

… then… they mate and 

females start in laying 

eggs…


16 

Zoom 

With the mandibles, female make 

an incision in the bark to insert in it 

one single egg…


17 

The egg is very similar 

to a rice seed… and it is 

layed in the bark inside a T 

shape incision…


Exuvium 

… in this picture you can see the 

pupal chamber, full of chewed tree 

debris… 

18 

Larvae are 45 – 55 

Larvae are 45 55 

mm in length


19 

... the pupal stage…


1 10 

.. emerging 

from the tree 

through a 

perfect, round 

shape, exit 

hole… 

The emerging takes hours; 

even one or two days and 

usually it occur during the 

early morning or in late 

evening… when % humidity 

is higher…


1 11

Looking for… 

… sign and symptoms… 

1 12

Sign and symptoms 

1 13


1 14 

It is very difficult to found exit holes above 50cm from the 

ground level. But it may happen when: 

1 

1) thetreeofacertainsizeisinfestedsincelongtime 

and many galleries were excavated td by different 

generation of the beetle within the stump of the 

infested tree. In this case, founding some exit holes 

on the upper part of the tree (2‐3 or more meters 

from the ground level) it may happen. 

2 

2) when, above the 50cm from the ground, there is a 

ramification where big branches are departing. In this 

case, the beetle may be it is confused since the 

ramification is very similar to a base of a tree. 

4 

3) when humans are stimulating the beetle, placing 

barriers to the egg laying. Beetles free in the 

surrounding environment fly on the caged trees and 

layed eggs just above the wire mesh cages. Note that 

cages were placed from the ground up to 1 meter. 

4) On Platanus x acerifolia, notcaged, some egg laying 

and old cicatrized galleries in the crown of this very 

big trees (70 – 100 years old) were observed in some 

place at Parabiago and Canegrate. 

3


1 15 

Following the adult’s 

feeding, on the 

crown is it possible 

to see dead dtwigs…


1 16 

Freshly chewed bark of an Alnus’s twig 

A characteristic twig 

under cicatrization 

A cicatrized feeding 

at the departure of 

damage on a maple… 

it from the major 

branch…


In the picture: 

Franck Hérard 

looking for 

oviposition slits 

1 17 

An overview of different kind 

of oviposition scars…


1 18 

Frass (excrements) 

The amount of extruded frass varies depending on the host plant species, larval instar and 

environmental conditions… 

Frass is not systematically found on infested trees; frass is not a fully reliable symptom which may be lacking even if trees are infested with 

larvae. Furthermore, it is located on ground level and could be easily washed off during irrigation or removed by gardeners.


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Freshly made, hold and 

cicatrized exit holes…

20 1 


More than 

130 exit 

holes!


1 21 

Some trees dead after CLB’s infestation… 

… if you cut the tree… fungi and other disease will 

be present. Exit holes are pathway for all these 

secondary infections…

Summary of the lifecycle 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

NOV 

MAR 

Life Cycle 

Frass 

OCT 

APR 

Eggs 

SEP 

Adult 

MAY 

… useful for technicians 

and inspectors of the PPS… 

AUG 

JUL 

JUN 

The life cycle of A. 

chinensis under 

natural conditions 

in Italy takes 1 or 

2 (3?) years to 

complete.

1 23 

The research and the 

international cooperation… 

In the pictures (form the left): 

p ( ) 

Nicolò Corsi, Maggioni 

Alberto, Franck Hérard, 

Michael T. Smith, Matteo 

Maspero and Ute Hoyer 

Tomiczek

Research 

1 24 

Within the numerous Research Project financed in 10 years by the Lombardy Region, the basic bio‐ethology of this pest was studied. 

In this slide, the distribution of the eggs layed was observed. Female’s egg laying mostly occurred within the 5 cm just above the ground 

level (81,72%). In general, 96,56% off the egg layed were placed within the first 15 cm above the ground level. 

% 

10 0 % 

80% 

60% 

40% 

Graphic : distribution n % of slits 

within different portion of trunk 

(source BETOTAC Project) 

20% 

0% 

GABBIE 

Research 

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In north of Italy, adults of the beetle are present from late May to beginning of October, depending to the weather conditions of the concerned 

summer. By the way, their presence in huge number is concentrated between middle June and middle July. In this range of period, the probability 

to found beetles at the base of a tree is very high. 

Below a graphic of the captures during the season. 

35 

30 

Totale Femmine Maschi 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Graphic : distribution of the beetle’s capture during summer 2005 


Vengoni Davide and 

Costanza Jucker

Research 

1 26 

On which tree you should look for the presence of Anoplophora chinensis 

1 Acer 

In Tab. 1 we report 16 species 

2 Aesculus 

that represent the most 

3 Alnus 

susceptible plants that in 

4 Betula 

Lombardy has been infested 

5 Carpinus 

6 Corylus 

by the beetle. The monitoring 

7 Cotoneaster we are developing is based 

8 Fagus 

mostly on these specie. For 

9 Lagerstroemia this species we pay an high 

10 Malus 

level of attention since up to 

11 Ostria 

now, the number of trees 

12 Platanus 

recorded is high. From tens to 

13 Prunus laurocerasus 

14 Rosa 

15 Salix 

16 Ulmus 

Tab. 1 

hundredseach d h species. 


A policeman, 

Alessandra Frau 

and a private 

owner of an 

infested tree…

Research 

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The Sound Detector 

In the pictures: 

Matteo Maspero

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A research paper, entitled “Perspective and Promise: a 

Century of Insect Acoustic Detection and Monitoring”, R. 

W. Mankin 1 , D. W. Hagstrum 2 , M. T. Smith 3 , A. L. Roda 4 , 

and M. T. K. Kairo 5 , will be published in the American 

Entomologist (Entomological Society of America) as a 

research paper during 2011. 

The paper contains information on CLB. More, specifically 

and of particular interest, is Figure 1 (attached). The figure 

is entitled: “Oscillogram, Os, and spectrogram, Sp, of a 

24‐s period of signals recorded from a tree containing an 

A. chinensis larva. Darker shading in spectrogram (512‐ 

points per spectrum, 90% overlap) indicates higher 

relative spectrum level (higher energy). Blocked area, AC, 

marks a period with numerous A. chinensis impulses; N 

marks a period of mechanical noise; and B marks a bird 

call. Ovals in N and B mark frequency ranges where 

relative spectrum levels notably exceed those expected 

in larval signals.” 

*********************************************** 

******************* 

Michael T. Smith, Ph.D. 

Research Entomologist 

USDA‐ARS 

Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Lab 

Newark, Delaware 19713 

Office: (302) 731‐7330 

Cell: (302) 766‐2434 

Fax: (302) 737‐6780 

Email: Michael.Smith@ars.usda.gov 

http://www.ars.usda.gov/naa/biiru 


Michael T. 

Smith

Research 

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SEASONAL EMERGENCE OF ANOPLOPHORA CHINENSIS: 

DEVELOPMENT OF A DEGREE DAY MODEL 

The effectiveness of all pest management strategies depend in large part upon proper timing 

of their implementation to coincide with the targeted life state. For example, insecticidal 

control of adult beetles may coincide with adult emergence. Moreover, the best timings could 

be predicted by Degree‐day models. 

Degree‐day models, also known as phenology models are based on the fact that an insect's 

growth is closely linked to the temperature where it is found. A specific number of heat units 

are required for the insect to complete a certain physiological process. 

… How to develope a DDM… 

Caging infested stumps… 

Caged trees… 

No caged trees… 

In the picture: Michael T. Smith

Research 

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In this study, we use the number of adults that emerged from citrus trees and temperature data from Japan Meteorological Agency to 

develop a degree‐day model to predict cumulative proportional adult emergence within a region. Although the model was established, we 

don’t know if prediction from the model is accurate and how accurate it is. So, we need to collect emergence data for several years from 

the different countries, such as Italy, China, Japan to validate the model. 

For example, for Milan, Italy, 

the attached excel file and 

following figure show the 

result of prediction for the 

adult emergence proportion on 

each day in 2010.

Research 

1 31 

SENTINEL TREES 

Preliminary study at Parco delle Cave –West of Milan 

OBJECTIVES 

PRIMARY: To Evaluate the Relative Effects of 

Application Method of DemandCS (contact 

insecticide, lambda cialotrina – a syntetic 

piretroid) on the Relative Attraction of 

Anoplophora chinensis (CLB). 

SECONDARY: To Evaluate the Relative Attraction of 

Anoplophora chinensis (CLB) to Acer 

saccharinum and Alnus cordata. 

TERTIARY: To Evaluate the Residual Activity of 

Demand CS against Anoplophora chinensis 

(CLB).

Research 

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172 trees were planted in 4 

boundaries areas at Parco 

delle Cave

Research 

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF Anoplophora chinensis & Anoplophora glabripennis 

During 2002 through 2010, surveys were made in Lombardy, within and outside the area infested with A. chinensis, tofindpossiblenew 

associations between the introduced Anoplophora species and natural enemies from the European fauna. 

A complex of 8 native natural enemies were readily attracted to both alien hosts. Moreover, a new species of Eulophid, the egg parasitoid 

Aprostocetus anoplophorae Delvare (Hym.: Eulophidae), was obtained from CLB eggs. 

y 2002 

ago (Milan) January 

Parabia 

Olivier Simonot, Matteo Maspero and Franck Hérard 

during the firsts field study at Parabiago, Italy 

Matteo Maspero and Franck Hérard looking for CLB’s oviposition slits in Parabiago area. Summer 2010

Research 

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF Anoplophora chinensis & Anoplophora glabripennis 

Anoplophora chinensis: early stage parasitoids in Italy 

Egg host 

Larval host 

Aprostocetus anoplophorae 

(Hym.: Eulophidae) 

Spathius 

erythrocephalus 

(Hym.: Braconidae) 

Pest imported from the Far East; 

established in Italy near Milan on 

ornamentals and deciduous trees 

Cleonymus 

brevis 

(Hym.: Pteromalidae) 

Eurytoma melanoneura 

(Hym.: Eurytomidae) 

Eurytoma 

morio 

(Hym.: 

Eurytomidae) 

Eupelmus 

aloysii 

(Hym.: 

Eupelmidae) 

Trigonoderus 

princeps 

(Hym.: 

Pteromalidae) 

(also attacked A. glabripennis) 

© F. Hérard

Research 

1 35 

The objective of the 2010 research was determine the geographical distribution in Northern Italy of Aprostocetus anoplophorae, a specific egg 

parasitoid of the citrus longhorned beetle, to finalize a release technique of the egg parasitoid in the sections of the CLB distribution area 

where the parasitoid does not occur yet, and to test field performance of local larval parasitoids accepting ALB and CLB as hosts. 

Franck Hérard sampling portion of wood to look for the presence of 

CLB’s parassitized eggs…

Research 

© F. Hérard 

Field studies of Aprostocetus anoplophorae Delvare 

(Hym.: Eulophidae), a gregarious egg parasitoid of 

Anoplophora chinensis in Italy 

F. Hérard & M. Maspero 

1 36 

A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

N1 N2 

G1‐G2 

I 

J 

Franck Hérard sampling slits 

from infested trees

Research 

Aprostocetus anoplophorae has the features of a promising biological 

control agent against A. chinensis 

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No. of host eggs (n = 22) 

with emergence e of parasitoids 

Phenology of Aprostocetus anoplophorae 

3 

2 

1 

0 

180 190 200 210 220 230 240 

Julian 

date 

‐ Strict host specificity 

‐ Attacks hosts over a long period during summer 

(June through late August) 

‐ Both host and parasitoid phenologies are 

synchronized 

‐ It displays 2or3generationsg per year 

‐ It is a gregarious species (good yield in rearing) 

Limits: 

‐ Difficult to rear in the laboratory (?) () 

‐ Distribution currently limited around Parabiago (?) 

JULY AUGUST 2003 

Emergence following winter diapause 

of Aprostocetus anoplophorae adults from 

host eggs collected in April 2003

Research 

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Evaluation of the possibility of detection dogs sniffling for the two quarantine pests 

Anoplophora chinensis and A. glabripennis 

In the picture: Andor and Ute Hoyer‐ 

Federal Research & Training Centre for Forests, Natural 

Hazards & Landscape Seckendorff ‐ Wien (Vienna) 

Dipl.‐ Biol. Ute Hoyer‐Tomiczek, Department of Forest Protection, Federal Research and 

Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Vienna, Austria 

Dr. Gabriele Sauseng, Lebring, Austria 

Tomiczek

Research 

1 39 

The olfactory function of dog noses is very sensible and 

manifold higher than that of humans. Therefore dogs are 

able to detect drugs, explosives, fire accelerants, 

persons, cadavers, exotic animals and more. The 

advantage of the dogs is that they do not need to see 

any symptoms directly, but for them it is enough to get a 

slight scent of Anoplophora to have a closer “look”/ 

“sniff” to the area where the scent comes from until they 

will find the scent source directly. Therefore hidden 

infested trees or tree parts (hidden by bushes, stinging 

nettles, and blackberries) could be detected more easily. 

At Minoprio Foundation, the team: Jacky, Gabriele Sauseng, Jolly, 

Matteo Maspero, Aline, Ute Hoyer‐Tomiczek, Andor (from left) 

In the picture: Ute Hoyer‐Tomiczek , Gabriele Sauseng, Andor 

and Beniamino Cavagna in conservation about a scent sample

Research 

1 40 

Ute Hoyer‐Tomiczek, employee of the BFW (Federal Research and Training Centre of 

Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape), and Gabriele Sauseng, free worker of the 

BFW, are the dog handlers of Andor and Aline as well as of Jacky and Jolly, respectively. 

During the three missions the dog handlers and their four dogs were accompanied and 

guided by Matteo Maspero of the Minoprio Foundation and visited several infestation 

sites of high interest due to the tree population and the infestation level in urban 

surrounding and in more or less natural environments. Gardens and public parks in 

Milano, Legnano, Parabiago and Assago, agricultural areas in the province of Brescia, at 

Gussago and, Montichiari were the places of the dog detection work. 

Andor capturing scent from an infested tree. 

Andor, indicating an infested tree 

Gabriele Sauseng giving a rewards to Jacky to 

confirm that the scent was the right one!…

Research 

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Minoprio Assay Center for pesticide is working on the 

possibility to control the pest through chemicals 

Guglielmo Cavalieri responsible of the Center

Research 

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Bosco in Città _ Centro per la Forestazione Urbana di Italia Nostra 

1. Removing of all the infested trees 

2. Removing of all the susceptible tree not 

used in the research project 

3. Spray the susceptible trees remained for 

our research purpose 

3 Spray the susceptible trees remained for Milano 

Roberto Musmeci working in the 

plots of the research area 

established at Bosco in Città, 

Milano 

Silvio Anderloni and Mario Colombo looking at a tree 

located in the surrounding of Parco delle Cave, Milan

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Thank you for your attention…

1 Anoplophora chinensis in Lombardy, Italy : an update of the ...

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