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Identification

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Male Asian longhorned beetle
Male

Female Asian longhorned beetle
Female
Anoplophora glabripennis
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The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is large, ranging from 0.75-1.25 inches long, with very long black and white antennae.  The body is glossy black with irregular white spots.  These beetles feed on many species of hardwood trees.  Adults can be seen from late spring to fall depending on the climate.  This beetle was introduced from China and is currently limited to areas within the cities of Chicago and New York. 



 
Look-alikes
The following are insects are common to the United States and are

NOT THE ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE.
 


Whitespotted Pine Sawyer
Male whitespotted pine sawyer
Male
Female whitespotted pine sawyer
Female
Monochamus scutellatus
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The Whitespotted pine sawyer is found from Newfoundland south to the Carolinas, then west to Minnesota, and north to Alaska. 
Feeds on many conifers including; white, red, and jack pines, balsam fir, and many spruces.  Adults range from 0.75-1.25 inches in length.  Adults emerge in late spring and can be seen all summer (depending on climate).

These beetles are most commonly misidentified as ALB. 
Males are metallic black with one white dot at the base of the wing covers.  Females are brown with speckles and also have the white dot at the base of the wing covers.  ALB does not have this white dot, though it has many white spots on its wing covers.

 
Oregon Fir Sawyer

Monochamus oregonensis

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Photo by Richard Worth

This Oregon fir sawyer is the western counterpart of the whitespotted pine sawyer.  It feeds on Douglas-fir, the true firs, and pine trees of western North America.  Adults range from 0.75-1.25 inches in length.  Adults emerge in late spring and can be seen all summer (depending on climate). 

The fir sawyer is commonly misidentified as ALB in the west.
These beetles are distinguished from ALB by the white dot at the base of the wing covers.  ALB does not have this white dot, though it has many white spots on its wing covers.  Also, the Oregon fir  sawyer has a rough and dull appearance while ALB appears smooth and shiny.

 

Southern Whitespotted Sawyer
Male southern whitespotted sawyer
Male

Female southern whitespotted sawyer
Female

Monochamus titillator
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Found in the eastern and southeastern states.  This species is similar to M. carolinensis.  Adults are 0.75 to 1.25 long.  They feed on a variety of pines, mostly attacking those that are dead or dying.  Adults are active from late spring to late fall depending on climate. 

These beetles are distinguished from ALB by their reddish gray mottled color.

 

Northeastern Sawyer

Male Northern Sawyer
Male

Female Northern Sawyer
Female

Monochamus notatus
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Found in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada, westward to the Great Lakes.  They breed in many species of dead and dying conifer trees, commonly in white pine and balsam fir.  Adults are up to 1.5 inches long and are a mottled  brown/white color.  Males have very long antennae.
 
This beetle can be distinguished from ALB by its  brown color and a faint white spot at the base of the wing pads.

 

Cottonwood Borer
Cottonwood borer Cottonwood borer
Plectrodera scalator
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The cottonwood borer is found in the eastern US, north to New York, west to New Mexico.  Larvae and adults feed on willow and poplar, with Eastern cottonwood being the most preferred.  Adults are 1 to 1.5 inches long, making it one of the largest  longhorned beetles in the US  Adults emerge from late spring to mid summer (depending on climate) and live about a month.  Adults are  black and white checkered with black antennae. 

This species can be distinguished from ALB by the black antennae.  ALB antennae have white bands.  Also t
he cottonwood borer has white strips around the neck.  The neck of ALB is black.

 

Banded Alder Borer
Banded Alder Borer
Rosalia funebris
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Photo by Edward Ross
The banded alder borer is found in New Mexico and California, north to Alaska.  Larvae and adults feed on Oregon ash, California laurel, and New Mexico willow.  Adults are 1-1.5 inches long with large black and white banded antennae and black and white markings on the body.

These beetles are commonly mistaken for ALB in the Western US  This species can be distinguished from ALB by the large white marking on the neck and the banded pattern of markings on the back (no irregular white spots).

 

Broadnecked Root Borer
Male broadnecked root borer
Male
Female broadnecked root borer Female
Prionus laticollis
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The broadneck root borer is found throughout the Eastern US and Southern Canada.  As larvae, they feed on the roots of hardwoods including oak, chestnut, poplar and apple.  Males range in size from 1-1.25 inches.  Females are larger, ranging from 1.25-1.75 inches but have smaller antennae.  Adult males fly from May through June, females have never been observed in flight. 

This species can be distinguished from ALB by the lack of white markings on the body and the lack of white bands on the antennae.


Sugar Maple Borer
Sugar Maple Borer Sugar Maple Borer
Glycobius speciosus
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Found from southern Canada to North Carolina, extending west to Minnesota.  It is considered an economically important native pest of sugar maple, its only host.  Adults are about 1 inch long and are black with bright yellow markings.  The markings form a distinct "W" on its back 

The insect has been mistakenly identified as ALB because it feeds on sugar maple leaving similar exit holes.  Adult sugar maple borer is easily distinguished from ALB by their bright yellow and black markings

 

Eyed Elater
Alnus oculatus
Eyed Elater Eyed Elater
Eyed Elater
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The eyed elater is one of the largest species of click beetles, reaching over 1.5 inches long.  This beetle is a predator of many wood-boring insects of hardwood trees.  It is not a pest to trees.  Adults have a salt and pepper like appearance with two large false eyespots on the top of the neck (pronotum). 

The Eyed Elater can be distinguished from ALB by the false eyespots, short black antennae, and the lack of distinct white spots on the wing pads. 


Western Conifer Seed Bug
Leptoglossus occidentalis
WCSB
Western Conifer Seed Bug
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The western conifer seed bug  is brown and reaches 0.75 inches in length. It feeds on seeds and developing cones of conifers. It is commonly seen indoors when the weather gets colder and can be a nuisance to homeowners. 

This species can be distinguished from ALB by its brown color, the lack of distinct white spots on the wing pads, and the presence of a straw-like sucking mouthpart.

Related Links
   ALB or Sawyer?
Asian Longhorned Beetle Vs. Cottonwood Borer

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