First Report of the Larch Longhorn (Tetropium gabrieli Weise, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Spondylidinae) on Larix spp. in Lithuania

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Tetropium gabrieli is a longhorn beetle that usually attacks weakened larch trees. During prolonged summer droughts, T. gabrieli can form outbreaks, causing damages to larch stands. Although it is known in several European countries, in Lithuania it was detected for the first time in 2019. The detection of T. gabrieli indicates potential secondary damages to European larch and other larch species growing in the area. ABSTRACT: Tetropium gabrieli is known to be native to the Alps in Europe where it breeds in European larch (Larix decidua), but it has spread to other areas and was reported in Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Belorussia. Although T. gabrieli is considered an important secondary pest of Larix spp., it can be particularly harmful to trees subjected to abiotic stress. Here we report that in Lithuania, T. gabrieli was for the first time captured in 2019 using sticky traps attached to Larix spp. trees. Two adult beetles were trapped at two different sites in central Lithuania, and this was in the period between 10th of May and 5th of June. Regarding potential threats caused by this insect pest, this new finding requires special attention, particularly on its biology, ecology, and local distribution.