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The subtropical pest 'Norangallak Sky Beetle' has recently been breeding in Jeju.

On the 11th, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province World Heritage Headquarters confirmed the breeding of the invasive species Norangallak Sky Beetle for the first time in Korea.

During a survey on the habitat status of invasive species in the province, adult Norangallak Sky Beetles and signs of breeding were found on hackberry trees near coastal tourist spots. Numerous adults that emerged from the host plant (the plant that larvae feed on), hackberry trees, and exit holes about 15mm in size (larvae holes) were confirmed.

Subtropical pests, the yellow-spotted longhorn beetle and the escape hole.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is the first confirmation of the establishment of Norangallak Sky Beetle since adult beetles were found in Jeju in 2019.

The Norangallak Sky Beetle is an insect of the order Coleoptera, family Cerambycidae, with a body length of about 3 to 5 cm. It is known as a subtropical species inhabiting India, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries.

Until now, most subtropical insects were known to have difficulty surviving the winter in Korea.

However, the World Heritage Headquarters estimates that the Norangallak Sky Beetle has become naturalized by adapting to climate change, overwintering as larvae inside trees during cold winters and emerging by shedding their shells in the warm summer.

This pest is reported to damage host plants such as tea trees, hackberry trees, zelkova trees, Aphananthe trees, and Chinese hackberry trees. However, so far, no significant damage has been confirmed in Jeju except for hackberry trees.

Jeju Province has informed related departments and national research institutions about the habitat status of the Norangallak Sky Beetle and ensured that necessary pest control measures can be taken when damage occurs.

Ko Jeong-gun, head of the Hallasan Research Division in Jeju, said, "Jeju, located at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, serves as an intermediate point for various subtropical invasive species spreading to the mainland. We will strengthen surveillance in preparation for increased invasions due to climate change and, if ecological threats are found, consult with related departments to carry out pest control as needed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.