Unveiling the underground: Prionus tile longhorn beetles in blueberries in North Carolina

Prionus beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are known pests in the west of the U.S. Species like Prionus californicus are notorious for their large size larvae, which burrow into the base of plants and feed for 4-6 years, causing severe structural damage that leads to the death of the plant. This behavior harms economically important trees such as apples, cherries, pecans, and hazelnuts. Prionus imbricornis is emerging as a significant pest in the heart of the blueberry production area in North Carolina, which ranks as one of the top 10 blueberry-producing states in the nation. Thousands of blueberry bushes have died in the state's major county of blueberry production due to infestations with this longhorn beetle, which may threaten the livelihood of blueberry farmers. Effective management and control of Prionus beetle populations are limited, and diagnostic methods are critical to prevent extensive damage. A monitoring program for Prionus was launched in 2024 and will continue in upcoming years to detect the extent of infestations state-wide. This presentation discusses the results of the preliminary monitoring program in 2024, plans for diagnostics and an extended monitoring program in 2025, and evaluations of pheromone-based management methods. Given the economic impact of blueberries in North Carolina and the potential for significant crop losses, addressing the emergence of Prionus beetles is vital.