Specified host plants of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) - are lime trees and beech trees really at risk?

The Asian longhorned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB) is a dreaded quarantine pest that attacks a wide range of hardwood tree species. However, some of the specified host plants which have to be eradicated in infestation zones such as lime and beech trees almost never get infested or may even be resistant to the ALB. As a result, the specified host plant list needs to be revised based on the data from the infestation areas in the EU, in order to avoid further felling of whole lime avenues and major clear-cutting in parks with old growth. As large differences may exist between species of the same genus, exact species not merely genera should be specified on the host list.

Automated summary

The Asian longhorned beetle is a feared pest that attacks a wide range of hardwood trees. However, some specified host plants are rarely infested or may even be resistant, so the host list needs to be revised to avoid unnecessary felling.