| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Adult longhorn beetle (set specimen) adjacent sectioned timber showing larval feeding gallery and emergence hole. | Åke Lindelöw |
Datasheet
Tetropium fuscum (brown spruce longhorn beetle)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Description
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Risk of Introduction
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
- Growth Stages
- Symptoms
- List of Symptoms/Signs
- Biology and Ecology
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Plant Trade
- Wood Packaging
- Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Detection and Inspection
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius, 1787)
Preferred Common Name
- brown spruce longhorn beetle
Other Scientific Names
- Callidium fuscum Fabricius, 1787
Local Common Names
- Finland: himmeä kuusijäärä
- Germany: Bock, Brauner Fichten-; Bockkäfer, Brauner Fichten-
- Norway: tofarg. granbarkbukk
EPPO code
- TETOFU (Tetropium fuscum)
Summary of Invasiveness
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T. fuscum is believed to infest only dead and dying trees in its native range. However, populations were discovered in Nova Scotia, Canada (in 1990) infesting and reproducing in apparently healthy red spruce, Picea rubens (CFIA, 2003b). In the Nova Scotia infestation, hundreds of red spruce trees were infested, and many of these trees were dead at the time of investigation (Locke, 2001; CFIA, 2003b).
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Uniramia
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Family: Cerambycidae
- Genus: Tetropium
- Species: Tetropium fuscum
Description
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Cherepanov (1988) published complete descriptions of the morphological features of the adults, larvae and pupae.
The adults are 8-17 mm long. The antennae are thin in T. fuscum, relative to congeners. They terminate beyond the middle of the male elytra, and over the first third of the female elytra (Bílý and Mehl, 1989). The terminal segment of the antennae is pointed in the females and rounded in the males (Cherepanov, 1988). The body of the adult is black, and the antennae, legs and elytra are reddish-brown with a whitish pubescence (Cherepanov, 1988; Bílý and Mehl, 1989). The basal part of the elytra is typically lighter in colour due to this pubescence (Cherepanov, 1988).
The oval eggs are 1 mm long and are white with a tinge of green (Locke, 2001; CFIA, 2003b). The larvae and pupae of Tetropium spp. are difficult to distinguish without technical expertise. The larvae of T. fuscum are whitish and a maximum of 28 mm long. The head capsule is reddish-brown and is a maximum of 3 mm in diameter (CFIA, 2003b). The whitish pupae are 17 mm long and 4 mm wide (Cherepanov, 1988; CFIA, 2003b).
The adults are 8-17 mm long. The antennae are thin in T. fuscum, relative to congeners. They terminate beyond the middle of the male elytra, and over the first third of the female elytra (Bílý and Mehl, 1989). The terminal segment of the antennae is pointed in the females and rounded in the males (Cherepanov, 1988). The body of the adult is black, and the antennae, legs and elytra are reddish-brown with a whitish pubescence (Cherepanov, 1988; Bílý and Mehl, 1989). The basal part of the elytra is typically lighter in colour due to this pubescence (Cherepanov, 1988).
The oval eggs are 1 mm long and are white with a tinge of green (Locke, 2001; CFIA, 2003b). The larvae and pupae of Tetropium spp. are difficult to distinguish without technical expertise. The larvae of T. fuscum are whitish and a maximum of 28 mm long. The head capsule is reddish-brown and is a maximum of 3 mm in diameter (CFIA, 2003b). The whitish pupae are 17 mm long and 4 mm wide (Cherepanov, 1988; CFIA, 2003b).
Distribution
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T. fuscum is native to Europe and northern Asia, where it is a secondary pest of coniferous trees. In 1999, it was determined that T. fuscum was established on apparently healthy trees in Nova Scotia, Canada. Scientists determined that the infestation had been present since at least 1990 but had been misidentified as Tetropium cinnamopterum (CFIA, 2003b). Other infestations of T. fuscum have since been discovered in Nova Scotia.
There are conflicting reports over the presence of T. fuscum in Siberia, Russia (Cherepanov, 1988; Bílý and Mehl, 1989).
There are conflicting reports over the presence of T. fuscum in Siberia, Russia (Cherepanov, 1988; Bílý and Mehl, 1989).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 15 Dec 2020| Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
| Japan | Present, Widespread | Native | Original citation: Bílý & Mehl, 1989 | ||||
| Kazakhstan | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Turkey | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
Europe |
|||||||
| Austria | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Belarus | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Belgium | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Bulgaria | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Croatia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Czechia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Czechoslovakia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Denmark | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Estonia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Finland | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| France | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Germany | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Hungary | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Italy | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Latvia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Lithuania | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Moldova | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Montenegro | Present | ||||||
| Netherlands | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Norway | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Poland | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Romania | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Russia | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
| -Central Russia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| -Northern Russia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| -Southern Russia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Serbia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Slovakia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Slovenia | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Sweden | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Switzerland | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| Ukraine | Present, Widespread | Native | |||||
| United Kingdom | Present, Few occurrences | Introduced | Original citation: Bílý & Mehl, 1989 | ||||
North America |
|||||||
| Canada | Present, Localized | Present: only in some areas. | |||||
| -British Columbia | Absent, Intercepted only | Original citation: Smith and Humble (2000) | |||||
| -New Brunswick | Present | ||||||
| -Nova Scotia | Present, Localized | Introduced | 1990 | Invasive | |||
| -Quebec | Absent, Intercepted only | Original citation: Smith and Humble (2000) | |||||
Risk of Introduction
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T. fuscum has quarantine status in Canada, where it was reported to attack apparently healthy trees (CFIA, 2000).
Hosts/Species Affected
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T. fuscum primarily infests Picea and Pinus (Bílý and Mehl, 1989), but Abies, Larix and hardwoods are also potential hosts (CFIA, 2003b). In North America, T. fuscum was reared from Picea rubens, Picea mariana, Picea glauca and Picea abies (Smith and Humble, 2000) and these trees were mainly over 10 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) (Locke, 2001). In its native range, T. fuscum prefers mature stands (50 years old) of P. abies.
Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
Top of page| Plant name | Family | Context | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abies (firs) | Pinaceae | Other | |
| Larix (larches) | Pinaceae | Other | |
| Picea (spruces) | Pinaceae | Main | |
| Picea abies (common spruce) | Pinaceae | Main | |
| Picea glauca (white spruce) | Pinaceae | Other | |
| Picea mariana (black spruce) | Pinaceae | Other | |
| Picea orientalis (oriental spruce) | Pinaceae | Unknown | |
| Picea pungens (blue spruce) | Pinaceae | Unknown | |
| Picea rubens (red spruce) | Pinaceae | Other | |
| Pinus (pines) | Pinaceae | Main | |
| Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) | Pinaceae | Unknown |
Symptoms
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The larvae tunnel through the cambium and phloem of the tree, and eventually pupate in the xylem. This damage can girdle the tree, and lead to yellowing of the needles, and dieback of the crown and branches (Smith and Humble, 2000). The tunnels (a maximum of 6 mm in diameter) meander through the cambium and phloem, and are packed with frass and wood material (Smith and Humble, 2000). The mature larvae bore into the xylem of the tree to overwinter and pupate. This results in an L-shaped tunnel when a cross-section of the tree is taken (CFIA, 2003b). The infested trees tend to have a noticeable resin flow down the bark (Smith and Humble, 2000). Also, the adult exit holes (4 mm in diameter) are conspicuous in the bark of trees that have been infested for more than 1 year (Smith and Humble, 2000). Although the entire trunk of the tree is attacked by T. fuscum in North America, the populations in Europe and Asia appear to favour the lower parts of the trunk (Smith and Hurley, 2000). The galleries of Tetropium spp. are sometimes associated with wood-staining fungi in the genus Ophiostoma (Jacobs et al., 2003).
List of Symptoms/Signs
Top of page| Sign | Life Stages | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Growing point / dieback | ||
| Leaves / abnormal colours | ||
| Stems / dieback | ||
| Stems / gummosis or resinosis | ||
| Stems / internal discoloration | ||
| Stems / internal feeding | ||
| Stems / visible frass | ||
| Whole plant / discoloration | ||
| Whole plant / frass visible | ||
| Whole plant / internal feeding | ||
| Whole plant / plant dead; dieback |
Biology and Ecology
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The biology of T. fuscum is similar to that of Tetropium castaneum (Bílý and Mehl, 1989). In the spring and early summer, the females lay eggs in the cracks and crevices of bark on susceptible trees (Smith and Humble, 2000; CFIA, 2003b). The eggs are typically laid singly but can occur in clusters of up to ten (CFIA, 2003b). In its native range, T. fuscum typically colonizes the lower parts of the trees, but in North American infestations, T. fuscum galleries were found up to 7 m high on the trunks of susceptible trees (Smith and Hurley, 2000).
After 10-14 days, the larvae hatch and begin to tunnel in the cambium and phloem of the tree (CFIA, 2003b). The larvae produce irregular galleries filled with frass in the living bark of the tree for about 2 months. They then tunnel perpendicular to the bark, 2-4 cm into the xylem, to pupate (CFIA, 2003b). Before pupation, the larvae turn 90º from their tunnel for 3-4 cm, resulting in an L-shaped tunnel when a cross-section of the tree is taken (CFIA, 2003b). The larvae overwinter 4 cm beneath the surface of the wood (CFIA, 2003b).
Pupation takes place in an oval pupal chamber in the xylem during the spring, around May (Bílý and Mehl, 1989; Smith and Humble, 2000; CFIA, 2003b). Wood-staining fungi, Ophiostoma spp. (most often Ophiostoma tetropii), are associated with infestations of Tetropium spp. in North America and throughout the world (Smith and Humble, 2000; Jacobs et al., 2003).
The adults eclose after 14 days, and survive for 3 weeks during June, July and August (Bílý and Mehl, 1989; CFIA, 2003a). The females emerge with a full complement of eggs (average of 80 eggs), and do not require a pre-oviposition period, as do many other cerambycids (Smith and Humble, 2000). Throughout much of its range, T. fuscum is univoltine (Bílý and Mehl, 1989).
After 10-14 days, the larvae hatch and begin to tunnel in the cambium and phloem of the tree (CFIA, 2003b). The larvae produce irregular galleries filled with frass in the living bark of the tree for about 2 months. They then tunnel perpendicular to the bark, 2-4 cm into the xylem, to pupate (CFIA, 2003b). Before pupation, the larvae turn 90º from their tunnel for 3-4 cm, resulting in an L-shaped tunnel when a cross-section of the tree is taken (CFIA, 2003b). The larvae overwinter 4 cm beneath the surface of the wood (CFIA, 2003b).
Pupation takes place in an oval pupal chamber in the xylem during the spring, around May (Bílý and Mehl, 1989; Smith and Humble, 2000; CFIA, 2003b). Wood-staining fungi, Ophiostoma spp. (most often Ophiostoma tetropii), are associated with infestations of Tetropium spp. in North America and throughout the world (Smith and Humble, 2000; Jacobs et al., 2003).
The adults eclose after 14 days, and survive for 3 weeks during June, July and August (Bílý and Mehl, 1989; CFIA, 2003a). The females emerge with a full complement of eggs (average of 80 eggs), and do not require a pre-oviposition period, as do many other cerambycids (Smith and Humble, 2000). Throughout much of its range, T. fuscum is univoltine (Bílý and Mehl, 1989).
Natural enemies
Top of page| Natural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billaea triangulifera | Parasite | |||||
| Choerades gilva | Predator | Arthropods|Larvae | ||||
| Neoxorides collaris | Parasite | |||||
| Rhimphoctona xoridiformis | Parasite |
Notes on Natural Enemies
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There are a number of anecdotal reports of natural enemies that are associated with T. fuscum in North America, Europe and Asia. One species of asilid, Laphria gilva [Choerades gilva], feeds as a larva on T. fuscum and Tetropium castaneum larvae in their native ranges (Lavigne et al., 2000). A comprehensive survey of natural enemies that may act as biological control agents of T. fuscum is underway.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
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Natural Dispersal (Non-Biotic)
Cerambycids are generally good fliers, but it is not known how far T. fuscum can disperse.
Movement in Trade
It is believed that T. fuscum has been introduced to the UK from continental Europe (Bílý and Mehl, 1989), and to Canada (Smith and Humble, 2000), from wood packing material or dunnage.
Cerambycids are generally good fliers, but it is not known how far T. fuscum can disperse.
Movement in Trade
It is believed that T. fuscum has been introduced to the UK from continental Europe (Bílý and Mehl, 1989), and to Canada (Smith and Humble, 2000), from wood packing material or dunnage.
Plant Trade
Top of page| Plant parts liable to carry the pest in trade/transport | Pest stages | Borne internally | Borne externally | Visibility of pest or symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bark | arthropods/eggs | Yes | Pest or symptoms not visible to the naked eye but usually visible under light microscope | |
| Stems (above ground)/Shoots/Trunks/Branches | arthropods/eggs; arthropods/larvae; arthropods/pupae | Yes | Yes | Pest or symptoms usually visible to the naked eye |
| Wood | arthropods/larvae; arthropods/pupae | Yes | Pest or symptoms usually visible to the naked eye |
| Plant parts not known to carry the pest in trade/transport |
|---|
| Bulbs/Tubers/Corms/Rhizomes |
| Flowers/Inflorescences/Cones/Calyx |
| Fruits (inc. pods) |
| Growing medium accompanying plants |
| Leaves |
| Roots |
| Seedlings/Micropropagated plants |
| True seeds (inc. grain) |
Wood Packaging
Top of page| Wood Packaging liable to carry the pest in trade/transport | Timber type | Used as packing |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood packing material with bark | Softwood (especially Picea) | Yes |
| Solid wood packing material without bark | Softwood (especially Picea) | Yes |
| Wood Packaging not known to carry the pest in trade/transport |
|---|
| Loose wood packing material |
| Non-wood |
| Processed or treated wood |
Impact
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In Europe and Asia, T. fuscum attacks dead or dying trees except during outbreak periods. During population outbreaks, T. fuscum can attack living trees and reduce the quality of the timber (CFIA, 2003b). These outbreak populations can persist for 10 years (CFIA, 2003b). In North America, red spruce (Picea rubens) is an important tree for lumber, pulp and paper, and T. fuscum has been shown to infest apparently healthy stands of P. rubens. A serious insect pest of P. rubens could have significant economic implications for North American wood industries (Locke, 2001). In addition to causing feeding damage to trees, a wood-staining fungus, Ophiostoma tetropii was introduced into Nova Scotia, Canada, with T. fuscum. Although this species of fungus is not pathogenic, it may further depreciate the value of the infested timber (Jacobs et al., 2003).
Environmental Impact
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The spruce tree is a major component of the North American boreal forests (Locke, 2001). Although T. fuscum is thought to typically only attack dead or dying trees in its native habitat, established populations in North America infested healthy Picea rubens. The environmental implications of the establishment of a wood-boring beetle that infests spruce could be severe to the North American boreal ecosystem.
Detection and Inspection
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The infested trunks of living trees often have copious amounts of resin on the bark. The oval exit holes of the adults (4 mm in diameter) are visible externally in infested wood. When the bark is removed from the infested trees, the larval galleries (a maximum of 6 mm in diameter) are present. They meander through the cambium and phloem and are packed with frass and wood material. In the spring, a cross-section of the tree will reveal an L-shaped gallery that penetrates the xylem where the larvae pupate. Scientists in North America are actively pursuing lures and attractants that can be used to survey and trap T. fuscum (Sweeney et al., 2004, 2006; Silk et al., 2007).
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
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Worldwide there are 17 species in the genus Tetropium (Bílý and Mehl, 1989), seven of which are found in the Palearctic and six inhabit the Nearctic (Cherepanov, 1988). T. fuscum is superficially similar to several other Tetropium spp. and North American infestations were originally misidentified as Tetropium cinnamopterum (CFIA, 2003b). It is important to consider the worldwide constituency of the genus when identifying unknown Tetropium spp.. Tetropium castaneum is another potentially invasive member of the genus that is easily discernible from T. fuscum because of T. fuscum's bi-coloured elytra and thinner antennae (Cherpanov, 1988).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
The early detection of T. fuscum infestations is key to eradication efforts. The only treatment for T. fuscum in natural settings is to remove the infested material, and cutting- and chipping-infested wood. Heat treatment is an effective phytosanitary method to ensure that wood does not contain any live T. fuscum (Mushrow et al., 2004). The solid wood packing material should be heat-treated at 56ºC for at least 30 minutes (CFIA, 2003a).
References
Top of pageCFIA, 2000. Halifax park is under quarantine. News release by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2000/20000530e.shtml.
CFIA, 2003. Entry requirements for wood packaging produced in all areas other than the United States. Plant Health Division, Plant Products Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Nepean, Ontario, Canada. Publication no. D-98-08. http://www.importers.ca/important_03/03_03_28woodpacking.doc.
CFIA, 2003. Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius) Brown spruce longhorn beetle. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Data Sheet. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/surv/data/tetfuse.shtml.
Danilevsky ML, 2003. Systematic list of longicorn beetles (Cerambycoidea: Coleoptera) of Europe. http://marilyn.uochb.cas.cz/~natur/cerambyx/list_europe.htm.
IPPC, 2011. First detection of brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in New Brunswick. IPPC Official Pest Report, No. CAN-15/1. Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.ippc.int/
IPPC, 2013. Update on the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada. IPPC Official Pest Report, No. CAN-27/1. Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.ippc.int/
Jacobs K; Siefert KA; Harrison KJ; Kirisits K, 2003. Identity and phylogenetic relationships of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with invasive and native Tetropium species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Atlantic Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany, 81:316-329.
Lavigne R; Dennis S; Gowen JA, 2000. Asilid literature update, 1956-1976. Laramie, WY, USA: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Wyoming, SM-36.
Locke S, 2001. Brown spruce longhorn beetle Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius). http://www.dal.ca/~dp/webliteracy/projects/beetle/beetle3.html.
NAPPO, 2013. Phytosanitary Alert System: Update on the brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada. Phytosanitary Alert System: Update on the brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada. NAPPO. http://www.pestalert.org/oprDetail.cfm?oprID=542
Smith GA; Humble LM, 2000. The brown spruce longhorn borer. Victoria, BC, Canada: Exotic Forest Pest Advisory, Natural Resources Canada, Canada Forest Service. http://www.atl.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index-e/what-e/science-e/entomology-e/bslb-e/exotic-pest.pdf.
Smith GA; Hurley JE, 2000. First North American record of the palearctic species Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). The Coleopterist's Bulletin, 54:540.
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CFIA, 2003. Entry requirements for wood packaging produced in all areas other than the United States. In: Plant Health Division, Plant Products Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Nepean, Ontario, Canada. Publication no. D-98-08, http://www.importers.ca/important_03/03_03_28woodpacking.doc
Danilevsky ML, 2003. Systematic list of longicorn beetles (Cerambycoidea: Coleoptera) of Europe., http://marilyn.uochb.cas.cz/~natur/cerambyx/list_europe.htm
IPPC, 2011. First detection of brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius) in New Brunswick. In: IPPC Official Pest Report, No. CAN-15/1, Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.ippc.int/
IPPC, 2013. Update on the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada. In: IPPC Official Pest Report, No. CAN-27/1, Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.ippc.int/
NAPPO, 2013. Phytosanitary Alert System: Update on the brown spruce longhorn beetle, Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada., NAPPO. http://www.pestalert.org/oprDetail.cfm?oprID=542
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