Paranaleptes reticulata, commonly known as the Tree Stem Girdler, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Thomson in 1877. It is known from Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania (Jones, 1961). The beetle was recorded for the first time in Korogwe and Bagamoyo in 1960s attacking Bouganvillea, Hibiscuss, Citrus etc. Currently, the beetle is seriously affecting Eucalyptus in forest plantations and woodlots in Tanga, Morogoro and Pwani regions of Tanzania (Lyimo, 2017).
Girdled Eucalyptus at Korogwe Forest Plantation, Tanzania
Paranaleptes reticulata on Terminalia superba, Korogwe Forest Plantation, Tanzania
Girdled Eucalyptus at Korogwe & Morogoro, Tanzania
Paranaleptes reticulata was observed to girdle up to 150 stems/ha of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. tereticornis in Korogwe Forest Plantation which is a considerably serious economic damage (Lyimo, 2017). The beetle is causing damage normally to E. camaldulensis and E. tereticornis with a range of 3-8 cm diameter. The beetle was also spotted on Terminalia superba but girdling of the species was not confirmed. Currently, the beetle was observed girdling clones of Eucalyptus and mango trees in Sangasanga Woodlot in Morogoro.
References;
Jones, T. 1961. A Note on Analeptes trifasciata Fabr. and Paranalentes reticulata Thoms. (Coleop. Lamiinae) Two Tree Girdling Beetles of Tropical Africa. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal. pp 36-39.
Lyimo, P. J. 2017. A Tree Girdling Beetle in Korogwe District: It’s Potential Risk to Eucalyptus Plantations and Woodlots in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Volume 86(2): 27 – 34
