First Report of Dere thoracica White (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) in the United States, with Notes on Its Discovery, Recognition, Biology, and Habits

Abstract

Dere thoracica White, a cerambycine longhorned beetle native to eastern Asia, is newly reported from Georgia, USA, where an established population was detected. A single female was collected in a flight intercept trap in Clarke County during early 2020, and 292 adults were excavated from their pupal chambers or reared from dead branches of mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (Fabaceae), during early 2021. These are the first records of the genus and species in the Nearctic Region. Dere thoracica is considered to be a generalist dependent on recently dead or dying trees. It can be easily distinguished from the native Georgia fauna of longhorned beetles, and we have provided a description and diagnosis to differentiate it from one similar species.