Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Family: Cerambycidae
Genus: Chlorophorus
Species: C. annularis
Binomial name: Chlorophorus annularis
Common names: Bamboo longhorn beetle
Chlorophorus annularis (Bamboo longhorn beetle) is a beetle that is classed in New Zealand as an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act. This longhorn beetle is a post-harvest pest of bamboo. The larvae feed on dry bamboo stems and harvested canes and stakes. A small number of bamboo longhorn beetle larvae and adults were found in bamboo canes imported from China. Bamboo canes from the infested consignment were distributed throughout New Zealand in 2013 before the infestation was found and MPI was contacted. The canes were on sale to the public for several months.
Chlorophorus annularis head and body have distinct yellow with black tiger-like markings. Adult beetles are small, approximately 15 mm long and 5 mm wide and they have very long antennae. Since they rely on bamboo for completing their life cycle adults are likely to be found near bamboo.
Larvae are about 20 mm long and 4 mm wide and are found inside the bamboo stakes. They feed on dry, harvested bamboo that has had the moisture content reduced. They are a slender, milky white grub with a brown mouthpiece. Pupation occurs inside the stakes. They are a similar colour to the larva and have visible antennae and legs that are held close to the body. The new adults escape through circular or oval holes with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm.
CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) lists the following host plants/species of Chlorophorus annularis (Bamboo longhorn beetle).
Bambusa (bamboo), Bambusa multiplex (hedge bamboo), Bambusa polymorpha, Bambusa tulda (bengal bamboo), Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo), Citrus, Dendrocalamus strictus (male bamboo), Derris microphylla, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Gossypium (cotton), Indosasa crassiflora, Liquidambar (amber tree), Liquidambar formosana (beautiful sweetgum), Phyllostachys reticulata, Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane), Shorea, Shorea robusta (sal)
If you think you have seen any of these beetles, contact MPI immediately on 0800 80 99 66If possible, capture individuals and secure in a sealed container (with air holes). A photograph would be useful, as would detail of location, particularly GPS coordinates.
MoreInformation is available as a pdf file at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document-vault/3615
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Infected bamboo.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and Information: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
