Asian long-horned beetle infestation detected in Switzerland
The Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive species native to Asia, classified as a particularly dangerous pest. It is mainly a threat to forests.
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
A large infestation of Asian long-horned beetles, which causes major damage to trees and forests, has been reported in central Switzerland.
The Swiss authorities said numerous trees infested with Asian long-horned beetles had been discovered in Zell in canton Lucerne in August. Around 180 trees were felled, of which 75 were infested, the Federal Office for the Environment saidExternal link on Monday.
The Zell case is the fifth reported outbreak of Asian long-horned beetles but “one of the largest in Switzerland”, it said.
According to initial analyses, the arrival of the beetle in this area dates back at least six years, the environment office said. The beetles generally arrive via wooden building material packaging from Asia.
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The Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive species native to Asia, classified as a particularly dangerous pest. It is mainly a threat to forests. It poses no danger to humans and animals. The black beetle with small light spots and long antennae measures about 2.5-3.5 centimetres long. It attacks shrubs and maple, birch, horse chestnut or willow trees.
The environment office urged residents to notify the authorities of traces or specimens of the beetle to combat its spread.
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The beetles, which originate from East Asia, have been labelled by Swiss experts “a particularly dangerous pest”. Asian long-horned beetles are not allowed in Switzerland because they attack healthy deciduous trees and in serious cases can cause the trees to die. Affected trees therefore have to be felled, which causes ecological and economic costs, a…
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