Wood-boring Insects of Trees and Shrubs

12 Pages·2007·0.9 MB·English

B-5086
01-08
Wood-boring Insects
of Trees and Shrubs
Bastiaan M. Drees, JohnA. Jackman and Michael E. Merchant*
producessquareholesinrowsaroundatrunkor
M
anyinsectsfeedandmaketheirhomes branch.(Seephotoonpage6.)
inthebark,trunksandbranchesof Borerstunnelintheinnerbarklayer(cambium),
shadetreesandshrubsinTexas.Insect whichtransportsnutrientsandwatertotheleaves.
borersbelongtoseveraldifferentinsectgroups Whenthecambiumlayeriscompletelygirdledthe
includingavarietyofbeetles,mothsandhorntail planteventuallydiesaboveorbeyondthedamage
wasps. site.Partialgirdlingreducesplantgrowthandvigor
Mostinsectborersareattractedtoweakened, abovethesiteofattack.Onoccasion,tunneling
damaged,dyingordeadplants.Thesearereferredto makesthetreeweak,causinglimbsandbranchesto
as“secondaryinvaders”becausetheyattackonly fall.Borerdamagecanseverelyaffectthequalityof
afteraplanthasbeenweakenedbyanotherstress. lumberandcanmaketreessusceptibletodisease.
Secondaryinvadersareasymptomofotherprob-
lemswiththehealthofthetreeorshrub,butmay Wood-boring Insects
contributetoitsdecline.Secondaryinvadersinclude
Long-horned beetles or round-headed
speciesfromgroupsalreadymentioned,butalso
mayincludetermites,carpenterbeesandcarpenter borers (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
ants.
Adultsarecalledlong-hornedbeetles(Fig.1)
Manyotherinsectsliveindyingordeadtrees, becausetheirantennaeareoccasionallylongerthan
includingnaturalenemies(predatorsandparasites) theirbodies.Larvaetunnelunderneathbarkand
oftheinsectborers,saporfungifeeders,orspecies intotheheartwood.Thetunnelsareovaltoalmost
whichmerelyusethespacesprovidedbythetunnels roundincrosssectionbecauseoftheroundshapeof
andgalleriesaslivingquarters. thelarvae(Fig.2).Larvaeofsomespeciesareleg-
Wood-boringinsectsthatattackhealthytrees less,butmosthavethreepairsofsmalllegsonthe
andshrubsarecalled“primaryinvaders.”Primary firstthreesegmentsbehindtheheadcapsule.While
invadersmayeventuallykilltrees. tunneling,larvaecontinuallypacktheirtunnelswith
excrement(frass),whichlookslikecompressed
Damage woodfibers,orpushfrassoutoftheholestheypro-
duce.Thisexcrement,alongwiththesapexudedby
Borerinfestationsoftengounnoticeduntilplants theplantinresponsetothedamage,isoftenvisible
orpartsofplantsbegintodieorshowexternalsigns ontheoutsideofinfestedtrunksorbranches.Many
ofdamage.Wood-boringinsectsoftenproducesaw- speciesofbeetlesbelongtothisgroup,butmostare
dust-likefrass(excrement).Theirholesarenormally secondaryinvaders.Someexamplesoflong-horned
round,ovalorsemicircularandarefoundinaran- beetlesaredescribedbelow.
dompatternontheplant.Woodpeckerdamageis
Locustborer(Megacyllenerobiniae)adultsare
sometimesconfusedwiththatofwood-boringbee-
medium-sized(3⁄ inchlong)long-hornedbeetles
4
tles;however,woodpeckerdamagewillnotproduce
frequentlyfoundfeedingongoldenrodorother
frass.Onewoodpecker,theyellow-belliedsapsucker,
flowersinthefall.Theyaredarkbrowntoblack
withdistinctivegold-yellowmarkings.Larvae
hatchfromeggslaidinbarkcrevices.Visible
*ProfessorandExtensionEntomologist;ProfessorandExtension
Entomologist;andProfessorandExtensionUrbanEntomologist, symptomsofinfestationarewetspots
TheTexasA&MUniversitySystem.
andfrassonthebarkofblacklocusts.Later,lar- andmapletreesandcanbeaseriouspestinnurs-
vaetunnelintotheinnerbarkandconstructcells eries.Thereddish-brownadults(5⁄ to11⁄ inches
8 8
inwhichtheyspendthewintermonths.Inayear long)layeggsindividuallyinbarkcrevicesdur-
thelarvaearefullygrownandaboutaninchin ingJulyandAugust.Larvaetunnelunderthe
length. barkandintotheheartwood.Infestedsitescanbe
recognizedbythefrassaroundthebuckledbark
Cottonwoodborer(Plectroderascalator)isfre-
nearthegalleryentrance.Larvaeoftentunnel
quentlyfoundoncottonwood,poplarorwillow
completelyaroundthetrunkorbranchesthey
trees.Adultbeetlesarelarge(11⁄ incheslong)with
4 infest,producingnoticeablescarsorgirdling.Red
anattractiveblackandwhitish-yellowpattern.
oakborersfeedformorethanayearbefore
TheyareactivefromMaythroughAugust.The
pupatinginchamberstunnelledintotheheart-
larvae(1.75to2incheslong)tunnelatthebaseof
wood.Damagekillslimbsorterminalsand
thetrunkorbelowgroundlevel.Theyrequire
increasestheriskfromsecondaryinvadersand
about2yearstodevelop.
diseases.
Red-headedashborer(Neoclytusacuminatus)is
Twiggirdler(Oncideresspecies)damageoccurs
oneofthemostcommonwood-boringbeetles.It
primarilyfromegglaying.Thisinsectattacks
hasanarrowbodywithareddishthoraxand
pecan,mimosa,chinaberryandhuisache.The
lightbrownwingcoversmarkedwithfouryellow
linesoneach.Theyellowlinesareslanteddown- grayish-brownadults(11⁄16inchlong)girdlelimbs
duringthefall(lateAugustthroughmid-
wardtowardthemiddle,givingtheappearance
November)bychewingaV-shapedgrooveentire-
ofa“V”acrosstheback.Theantennaearerather
lyaroundtwigs,branchesorterminals.Eggsare
shortandthelonglegsarethinandfragile.Red-
insertedintothebarkonthegirdledpartofthe
headedashborersfeedinmanyspeciesofwood
branchawayfromthetree.Girdledlimbseventu-
includingash,oak,elmandevengrapes.Adults
allybreakandfalltotheground,particularlydur-
canbefoundondeadlogpilesandfrequently
inghighwindsandstorms.Damagecandisfigure
emergefromfirewood.
ayoungtreeandleadstosecondarybranching,
Redoakborer(Enaphalodesrufulus)attacksoak
particularlyiftheterminalisattacked.Larvae
reachupto7⁄ inchlongandareunabletodevelop
8
inhealthysapwood.Removingthegirdledtwigs
andbranchesfromthegroundduringwinterand
springanddestroyingthemcanreducethepopu-
lationoftheseinsects.
Twigandbranchpruners(Elaphidionoidesand
Agrilusspecies)producedamagesuperficially
similartothatoftwiggirdlersonelm,hackberry,
hickory,maple,oak,pecan,persimmon,redbud,
sweetgumandothertrees.Inthesespecies,how-
ever,itisthelarvaethatgirdletwigsandbranch-
esunderneaththebark.Thesurfaceofthesev-
eredendofthetwigissmooth.Theinsectusually
seversbrancheswheresmalltwigsbranchfrom
Figure1.Long-hornedbeetlesorroundheadedborers:locustborer
(left);cottonwoodborer(center);andred-headedashborer(right). themain,girdledbranch.
Redoakborerlarvaegirdlemaintrunksand FemaletwiggirdlerbeetleschewaV-shaped Twigandbranchprunerlarvaegirdlefrom
branchesduringthesecondyearoflarval grooveentirelyaroundtwigs,branchesorter- underneaththebark.
development. minals.(PhotobyM.E.Rice)
2
Metallic wood-boring beetles completedwithinayear.Whenabundant,they
(or flat-headed borers) canattackhealthytrees.Larvaetunnelbeneath
thebarkproducingtunnelsorgalleriesinpatterns
(Coleoptera:Buprestidae)
resemblingtheletter“S”(Fig.5).Thistunnelling
Adultbeetlesareflattened,hard-bodiedandboat- quicklydisruptsthecambiumlayer,girdlingthe
shapedwithshortantennae.Thesearebeautifulbee- tree.Infestedtreescanhavenumerousmassesof
tleswithdistinctivemetalliccolors(green,blue, resincalled"pitchtubes"onthetreetrunk.
bronze,copper).Larvaearecream-coloredandleg- Needlesofnewlyattackedtreesturnreddish-
lesswithwidened,flattenedbodysegmentsjust brown1to2monthsafterinfestationduringthe
behindtheheads.Consequently,whentheselarvae summer,andupto3monthsafterwardinthe
tunnelbeneathbarkorintothesapwoodtheypro-
duceovalorflattenedtunnelsincrosssection(Fig.
2).Galleriesareoftenwindingandpackedwith
frass.Tunnelingcangirdletrunksandbranches.
Manyspeciesofflat-headedborersoccurinthe
state.Mostaresecondaryinvaders.
Examplesofflat-headedborersincludethe
bronzebirchborer(Agrilusanxius),uncommonin
Texasbecauseofthelackofhosttrees;Agrilus
speciesfoundonoakandraspberry(A.bilineatus
andA.ruficollis,respectively);flat-headedappletree
borer(Chrysobothrisfemorata)andacloselyrelated
Figure3.Metallicwood-boringbeetlesorflat-headedboreradults:
speciesthatattacksrecentlytransplantedorstressed Agrillusbilineatus(left);flat-headedappletreeborer(right).
shade,pecanandfruittrees.
Bark beetles
(Coleoptera:Curculionidae)
Beetlesinthisgrouptunnelbelowthebarkof
treesand/orintothewood.Adultbeetlesaresmall
andreddish-browntoblack.Larvaearecream-
coloredgrubswithoutlegs.Onememberofthis
group,theEuropeanelmbarkbeetle(Scolytusmultis-
triatus),isthecarrierofDutchelmdisease.Itoccurs
Figure4.Barkorengraverbeetles:Southernpinebeetle(left);Ips
intheTexasPanhandle,butisinfrequentlyencoun- engraverbeetle(center)andgranulateambrosiabeetle(right).
teredinotherpartsofTexas.Othermembersofthis
grouparedescribedbelow.
Southernpinebeetle(Dendroctonusfrontalis)isa
primarypestofsouthernpineforests.Adultbee-
tlesareactiveduringwarmermonths(whentem-
peraturesareabove58degreesF),anddisperse
widelytoinjured,weakenedorstressedtreesin
thespring.Sevenormoregenerationsmaybe
Figure2.Larvaeofround-headedborer(left)andflat-headedborer
(right)withcrosssectionsoftunnels(above). "Pitchtubes"arecommonlyseenonthetrunksofpinesattackedby
pinebarkbeetles.
3
winter.Removalanddestructionofinfestedtrees
maypreventhealthytreesinthevicinityfrom
beingattacked.
Ipsengravers(Ips.spp.)areoftenmistakenfor
thesouthernpinebarkbeetlebecausetheir
appearanceanddamagearesimilar.Theirgallery
patternstendtobemoreparalleltoeachother,
however(Fig.5).Ipsusuallyattackweakened
treesonly.Recentlyfelledwoodshouldbecov-
eredwithplastictopreventIpsbeetleinfestation.
Theblackturpentinebeetle,Dendroctonustene-
brans,isanotherspeciesattackingpines.
Shotholeborers(Scolytusrugulosus)aresec-
ondarypestsofcommonfruittrees(peachand
plum),wildplumsandoccasionallyash,elmsand
hawthorne.Thesebarkbeetlestunnelthroughthe
barkandmakesmallholesinthebarkcrevices.
Granulateambrosiabeetle(Xylosandruscrassius-
culus)isanewlyintroducedspeciesthatattacks
healthy,stressedorfreshlycutelm,pecan,peach,
Prunusspecies,oak,sweetgumandothertreesin
eastTexas.Tiny(2to3millimeterslong),dark
reddish-brownadultfemalebeetlestunnelinto
twigs,branchesorsmalltreetrunks,excavatinga
systemoftunnelsinthewoodorpithinwhich Protrusionsofcompressedwooddustsignalattackbythegranulate
ambrosiabeetle.
theylayeggs.Theyalsointroduceafunguson
whichthelarvaefeed.Visibledamageincludes
wiltedleavesoninfestedbranchesandprotru-
sionsofcompressedwooddustfromnumerous
smallholes,resemblingtoothpickspointingout-
ward.Deadanddyingareasofbark(cankers)can
formatthedamagesite,eventuallygirdlingthe
treeandkillingit.Thereareseveralgenerations
peryear.Chemicalcontrolofthisspecieshasbeen
generallyunsuccessful.Nativeambrosiabeetles
arealsocalledshot-holeorpine-holeborers.
Thesespecieshavesimilarbiologiesbutrarely
attackhealthy,vigoroustrees.
Weevils
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Figure5.Lefttoright:"S"-shapedegggalleriesoftheSouthernpine
Adultweevilshaveacharacteristicsnoutthat beetle;"Y"-or"H"-shapedegggalleriesoftheIpsengraverbeetles.
bearsthechewingmouthparts(Fig.6).Larvaeare
leglessandcream-colored,andgenerallyfeedin
cellsorhollowedoutcavitiesunderneaththebark
ratherthaningalleriesortunnelsasdobarkbeetles.
VirginiapineplantingsinTexashavesufferedexten-
sivedamagefromthedeodarweevil,Pissodes
nemorensis.Theseweevilsattackthetrunksduring
thewinter,whereyoungtreesareinpoorplanting
sites.Severalweevilspeciesattackthebasesand
rootsofwoodyornamentalplants.
Wood-boring caterpillars
(Lepidoptera) Figure6.Deodarweevillarva,pupaandadult.
Theseinsectsaretheimmaturestagesofseveral
kindsofmoths.Caterpillarscanbeeasilyidentified
bytheir“falselegs”(prolegs)withtinyrowsof
4
hooksontheundersidesofsomeoftheabdominal Managing
segments(Fig.7).Adultmothsarerarelyseen
exceptwhenrearedfromthehostplantsorcollected Wood-boring Insects
inblacklighttraps.Severalkindsofmothlarvaetun-
Prevention
nelintowoodyornamentalplants:
Carpenterworms(Prionoxystusrobinae)arelarge Sincemostwood-boringinsectsareconsidered
larvaethattunnelthroughthetrunksofoak,elm, secondaryinvaders,thefirstlineofdefenseagainst
blacklocust,willow,ash,boxelder,poplar,cotton- infestationistokeepplantshealthy.Propercareof
wood,Chinesetallowandfruittreessuchaspear treesandshrubsdiscouragesmanyborerpestsand
andcherry.Theselarvaedevelopover2or3 helpsinfestedplantssurvive.Goodsapflowfrom
years,initiallyfeedingunderneaththebarkbut healthy,vigorouslygrowingtrees,forexample,
latertunnellingintotheheartwood.Outward defendstheplantfromdamagebymanyborer
signsofattackincludepilesofsawdustandexcre- pests.Goodhorticulturalpracticesinclude:
ment,particularlyincracksandcrevices.
Selectingwelladaptedspeciesoftreesand
(cid:2)
Carpenterwormsmayenterandexitthetrunkof
shrubsthatarenotcommonlyattackedby
thetreeseveraltimesduringtheirdevelopment.
woodborersinyourarea.Arizonaash,birch,
Severalcloselyrelatedspecieswithsimilarlife
cottonwood,locust,softmaple,floweringstone
cyclesalsooccurinTexas,butmaydevelopin
fruits(suchaspeachesandplums),slashpines
otherhosttrees.Adultmoths,whichemergein
(inwestTexas),willowandpoplarareespecial-
thespring,areratherlargewithspottedwings.
lypronetoborerattack.
Peachtreeborer(Synanthedonexitiosa)isoneof
themostimportantinsectpestsofpeachand
plum.Adultpeachtreeborermothsmateandlay
theireggsonthetrunksofpeachandplum
(Prunusspecies)treesduringAugustand
September.Thesedaytimefliersareoneofseveral
speciesoftencalledclear-wingmoths,andthey
looksuperficiallylikewasps(Fig.7).Larvaehatch
fromeggsinabout10daysandtunnelbeneath
thebarkfor10to11monthsbeforeemerging
fromthebaseofthetrunk.Infectedtreesexhibit
Figure7.Clear-wingmothandundersideoflarvashowingtruelegs
dieback,yellowingofleaves,stuntedgrowthand (right)andfalselegs(prolegs)bearingtinyrowsofhooks(crochets).
possibledeathiflarvaegirdlethetrunknearthe
soilline(from10inchesabovethegroundto3
inchesbelowtheground).Afteremerging,they
droptothesoiltopupateatthebaseofthetree.
Affectedtreescanbeidentifiedbymassesofsap
arounddamagesitesatthebaseofthetrunk.
Infestationscankillscaffoldinglimbsorentire
trees.
Otherspeciesofclearwingmothsare:1)thelilac
orashborer(Podosesiasyringae),whichhasits
adultflightperiodduringthespringandearly
summer;2)thedogwoodborer(Synanthedonscit-
ula);and3)thelesserpeachtreeborer
(Synanthedonpictipes).
OthercaterpillarpeststhatoccurinTexasinclude:
thesouthernpineconeworm(Dioryctriaamatella),
whichtunnelsaroundthebasesofVirginiapine
trunks(Fig.8);Euzopheraostricolorella,arootcol-
larborerthatinfestspottedmagnolia;andthe
Americanplumborer(Euzopherasemifuneralis),
whichinvadesdamagedorimproperlypruned
branchesonawidevarietyofwoodyornamen-
tals.
Figure8.Southernpineconewormlarva(top),pupa(middle)andadult
(bottom).
5
Choosingandpreparingagoodplantingsite mineifthelarvaecanbeextractedfromtheplant
(cid:2)
toavoidplantstress,freezedamage,sunscald withapocketknife,wireorothersuitabletool.
andwindburn. Chemical control
Minimizingplantstressandstimulating
(cid:2) Becausestressed,unhealthytreesaremoresus-
growthbyusingproperwateringandfertiliza-
ceptibletoinsectattack,maintainingoveralltree
tionpractices.
healthisvitalinreducingtheriskofwood-boring
(cid:2) Avoidinginjurytotreetrunksfromlawnmow- insectinfestationsandlimitingtheneedforcostly
ers,weedtrimmersorconstruction. andenvironmentallydamaginginsecticides.Older
Promptlycaringforwoundedorbrokenplant treesandthosedamagedbydroughtorotherenvi-
(cid:2)
partsusingpruningorwoundpaintduringall ronmentalstressalsowillnotbenefitfromcontrol
butthecoldestmonthsoftheyear. efforts.
Properlythinningandpruningduringcolder Table1listssomeinsecticidesregisteredbythe
(cid:2)
months. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)forwood-
boringinsectcontrolontreesandshrubs.Someof
Removinganddestroyinginfested,dyingor
(cid:2)
theseproductsareforprofessionalorcommercial
deadplantsorplantparts,includingfallen
useonlyandnotavailableatretailoutlets.Inaddi-
limbs.
tion,theproductlabelsspecifywheretheproductis
Wrappingtreetrunksandlimbswithquarter-
(cid:2) tobeused,suchasnurseriesorlandscapes,and
inchhardwareclothspacedabout11⁄ inches
2 whichpestorpestcategoryittargets.Chooseprod-
fromthetree’ssurfacewherewoodpecker
uctsaccordingtothelabeledrestrictions.Donotuse
damageislikely.
insecticidesonfruitornuttreesunlessspecifically
Wrappingtrunkstopreventborerattackisinef- labeledforthem.Someproductssoldmainly
fectiveandmay,undercertainconditions,increase throughspecialtystoresmayrequirethepurchaser
therateofinfestation.Usingplastictrunkprotectors tohaveaTexasDepartmentofAgriculturepesticide
tohelppreventinjuryfromlawnmowersandweed applicator’slicense.
trimmersisagoodidea.
Applicationtimingandmethodalsomaybespec-
Non-chemical control ifiedonthelabel.Someproductsarepreventive
for infested plants only;othersaretobeusedduringthetargetpest’s
adultflightperiods.Barkspraystargetegg-laying
Oncetreesandshrubsareinfested,non-chemical
femalesortheadultstagesemergingfromthehost
optionsforborercontrolarelimited.Oneoptionis
plant.Theyalsomaykillsmalllarvae.Barksprays
toremoveanddestroyheavilyinfestedorinjured
plants.Also,inspectdamagesitescloselytodeter-
Figure9.Siteswhereborersaremostlikelytoenteratree.Theshaded
areasarethemostcriticalsitesfortreatmenttopreventborerentry. Sapsuckerdamageappearsassquareholesinatreetrunk.
6
Table1.Examplesofcurrentinsecticidesandproductsregisteredfor“insectborersoftreesandshrubs.”SeeproductlabelsorAppendix1formore
specificlistingsofusesites,userdescriptionsandinsectspeciesorgroups.
Insecticide Active
Trade name
class ingredient
Trunk sprays
Sevin® Brand 4F Carbaryl Insecticide
carbamate carbaryl
GardenTech® Sevin® ReadyTo Use Bug Killer
organophosphate chlorpyrifos Dursban® 50W
OnyxPro™ Insecticide
Talstar® P Professional Insecticide
pyrethroid bifenthrin
Ortho® Bug-B-Gone®
MAX® Lawn & Garden Insect Killer Concentrate
Astro® Insecticide
pyrethroid permethrin Bonide® Borer-Miner Killer Concentrate
Bonide®Total Pest Control Concentrate Outdoor Formula
spinosyns spinosad Ferti.lome® Borer, Bagworm,Tent Caterpillar & Leafminer Spray
Soil drenches
Marathon® 60WP
neonicotinoid imidacloprid BayerAdvanced™ 12 MonthTree & Shrub Insect Control
Discus™ Nursery Insecticide
neonicotinoid dinotefuran SpectracideTree & Shrub + Fertilizer Concentrate
Tree injection products
Acecap® 97 Systemic InsecticideTree Implants
organophosphate acephate
Acejet Systemic insecticide for Micro-Infusion™
organophosphate dicrotophos Inject-A-Cide B®
oxydemeton
organophosphate Mauget Inject-A-Cide®
methyl
IMAjet Systemic Insecticide
neonicotinoid imidacloprid
Mauget® Imicide Systemic Injecticide for tree injection use in ready to use capsules
generallyuseresidualinsecticidessuchascarbaryl Otherwisetheyshouldbedisposedofusingdirec-
orpyrethroidinsecticidessuchasbifenthrinorper- tionsprovidedbycity,countyorstatepesticide
methrin.Onlyafewproductsareeffectiveonlarvae authorities.
tunnelingbeneaththebark,suchasthatoftheflat- Onlyafewproductsforcontrollingwood-boring
headedborerbeetles.Thesesystemicproductsusu- insectsareavailableatretailstores.Occasionally
allyareappliedassoildrenchessotheinsecticide theseproducts’containershavelabelsthataretaped
canbeabsorbedbytherootsorinjectedintothe tothecontainerandcannotbereadbeforepurchase.
trunk;theinsecticideimidaclopridisappliedas Theproducts’namesmayindicatetargetpests,such
eitherasoildrenchoratrunkinjection.Dinotefuran asFertilome®Borer,Bagworm,TentCaterpillar&
alsomayprovidesomecontrolofwood-boringbee- LeafminerSpray,buttheactuallabelhasusedirec-
tles. tionsforonlythepeachtwigborer(acaterpillarofa
Retailsaleofdiazinon,chlorpyrifos(Dursban®) clearwingmothspecies)onfruittrees.Inother
andendosulfan(Thiodan®)productshavebeendis- cases,listsofpestsonproductsthatareavailable
continued.Diazinonandlindanearenolonger onlytocommercialapplicatorsaremoreextensive
availableforinsectcontrolandchlorpyrifosisavail- thanthoseonproductsavailabletohomeowners,
ableonlyforuseincommercialnurseries.Products suchasthosecontainingthepyrethroidinsecticides,
containingtheseingredientsmaystillbeused bifenthrinandpermethrin.
accordingtolabeldirectionsifyoufirstcontactthe
manufacturertoascertainthatusageisallowed.
7
Knowpesticideregulations.Insecticideuseis Policy Statement
regulatedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency’s
FederalInsecticide,Fungicide,andRodenticideAct for Making Chemical
(FIFRA:http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/
Control Suggestions
fifra.pdf)andTexasDepartmentofAgriculture.
Thelawmandatesthatpesticidesbeused
(cid:2) Allpesticidesarepotentiallyhazardoustopeople
accordingtolabeldirectionswithafewexemp-
andtheenvironment.Pesticideusersarelegally
tions:Anusercanuseaninsecticideforpests
requiredtoreadandcarefullyfollowalldirections
notlistedontheproductlabelaslongasthe
andsafetyprecautionsonthecontainerlabel.The
usesiteislisted.Section2(ee)ofFIFRA(page
userisalwaysresponsiblefortheeffectsofpesticide
13)allowsfortheuseofanyregisteredpesti-
residues,aswellasproblemsthatcouldarisefrom
cide“againstanytargetpestnotspecifiedon
driftormovementofthepesticidetoneighboring
thelabelingiftheapplicationistothecrop,
areas.Labelinstructionsaresubjecttochange,so
animal,orsitespecifiedonthelabeling...”
readthelabelcarefullybeforebuyingorusingany
Thus,ifaparticularinsectborerisnotlistedon
pesticide.Properdisposalofleftoverpesticidesand
aproductlabeledforuseontreesandshrubs
“empty”orusedcontainersisanessentialstepin
butothersarelisted,orotherproductsinclude
safepesticideuse.Neverpourleftoverpesticides
mentionofthosepests,thatproductmaybe
downadrain.
usedtotrytocontroltheunlistedpest.
Regardlessoftheinformationprovidedinan
Someproductsclaiminginsectcontrolnow
(cid:2) Extensionpublication,alwaysfollowtheproduct’s
beingsoldmaynotberegisteredbytheEPA
label.Whenindoubtaboutanyinstructions,contact
becauseofanexemptiondescribedinSection
thepesticidesellerorthemanufacturerlistedonthe
25(b)(onpage89andontheWebsite
label.Storeallpesticidesintheiroriginal,labeled
http://www.epa.gov/PR_Notices/pr2000-
containersandkeepthemoutofthereachofchil-
6.pdf).Onlythosepesticidesregisteredbythe
dren.
EPAarelistedinthispublication.
Suggestedpesticidesmustberegisteredand
Bothofthesesectionsarealsodiscussedfurtherat
labeledforusebytheEnvironmentalProtection
theWebsite:http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
AgencyandtheTexasDepartmentofAgriculture.
regulating/labels/label_review_faq.htm#pesticide.
Thestatusofpesticidelabelclearancesissubjectto
Firewood changeandmayhavechangedsincethispublication
wasprinted.CountyExtensionagentsandappropri-
Adultwoodborerssometimesemergefromfire-
atespecialistsareadvisedofchangesastheyoccur.
woodstoredindoors.Whilemostoftheseinsectsare
notconsideredharmful,oldhouseborerandpow-
References
derpostbeetleswillattackseasoned,drywood
insidethehome(seetheTexasAgriLifeExtension
(AvailablefromtheTexasAgriLifeExtension
ServicepublicationE-394,“Structure-Infesting
Service)
Wood-BoringBeetles”).Treatingfirewoodwith
L-1826,CarpenterBees
insecticideisbothineffectiveandpotentiallydan-
geroustothehomeowner.Woodshouldbestored E-412,CarpenterAnts
outdoorsawayfromthehouseuntiljustbeforeuse. E-394,Structure-InfestingWood-BoringBeetles
Iffirewoodisinfestedwithborersitcanbetreated
Table1listsgenericorapprovedcommonnames
bywrappingitinatarpandallowingsunlightto
forinsecticides.Theseingredientsmaybefoundina
heatit.Stackingwoodlayersinalternatedirections
largenumberofproducts,whereastradenamesare
willhelpitdryandreduceareasthatcanharbor
usedbyspecificmanufacturersordistributorsof
insects.Firewoodcanspreadexoticwood-borer
theseinsecticides.Forconvenience,examplesof
species.Donottransportfirewoodtonewareas,
someofthemostcommonlyavailabletradenames
suchasout-of-statecampgrounds.Obtaincampfire
forthesegenericingredientsaregivenonpage7.
woodlocallyforuseonsuchoccasions.
8
treatevergreens,shadeandfloweringtrees,and
Appendix
nonbearingfruittreesinfestedwith:
Summaryofinformationobtainedfromproduct Weevilssuchasblackvine,cranberry,yellow
(cid:2)
labelsfortreatmentofwood-boringinsectsoftrees poplarandpinereproductionweevils,use1
andshrubscurrentlyregisteredbythe poundper100gallons;
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.Readandcareful-
Borers,includingclearwingmothssuchasash,
(cid:2)
lyfollowdirectionsprovidedontheactualproduct
dogwood,lesserpeachtree,lilac,oak,
label.
peachtree,rhododendronborers;metallicwood
Trunk sprays
borerssuchasbronzebirch,flatheadedapple-
treeandtwolinedchestnutborers;longhorned
Carbaryl, a carbamate insecticide
borerbeetlessuchascottonwood,locust,red
Sevin®Brand4FCarbarylInsecticide(43.0per- oakborers,palesweeviladultsand
centcarbaryl):Caution.Foragriculturalorcommer- Zimmermanpinemoth:Use2poundsper100
cialuseonly.Inforestedareassuchasnon-urban gallons,sprayingtrunksandlowerlimbsof
forests,treeplantations,Christmastreefarms,parks treesandshrubswhenadultsbegintoemerge
andruralshelterbelts,andforrangelandtrees,for forborers,andforpeachtreeborersspraying
treatingcypresstipmoth,locustborer,Nantucket floweringtreesandshrubsonthegenusPrunus
pinetipmoth,oliveashborerandpitchpinetip asatrunkspraybeforenewlyhatchedlarvae
moth,apply1quartofproductperacre;asapreven- entertreesandthoroughlywetallbarkareas
tivetreatmentonly,forelmbarkandIpsengraver fromgroundleveltoscaffoldlimbs;
beetlesapplyasatrunkspraya2percentsolution
Palesandnorthernpineweevils,use6pounds
(cid:2)
(5fluidouncespergallon)peracrenomorethan
per100gallonsappliedasacutstumpsprayor
twotimesperyear.Onpecansfortwiggirdler,
drench;
apply2to5quartsofproductperacre.Onpeaches,
Otherbeetlessuchasambrosia,Anobiidae,
plums,prunesandnectarines,apply2to3quartsof (cid:2)
blackturpentine,Europeanelmbark,mountain
productperacreforlesserpeachtreeborerorpeach
pine,nativeelmbarkandsouthernpinebee-
twigborer.Observebeecaution.Repeatapplications
tles:Use16poundsper100gallons,toachieve
asnecessaryuptoatotalofthreetimesperyearper
apreventivetreatmentbysprayingthemain
cropbutnotmoreoftenthanonceevery7days.For
trunkoftreesintheearlyspringorwhenthe
lesserpeachtreeborer,thoroughlyspraythelimbs
threatofattackexistsfromnearbyinfested
andtreetrunksatweeklyintervalsduringmoth
treesortoachieveremedialtreatmentsspray-
flight.Alsoseetheproductlabelsforratesofother
ingthemaintrunkofinfestedtreesorlogs
formulations:Sevin®Brand80S,80WSPandXLR
whendamageoccursbutbeforebeetlesbegin
PlusCarbarylInsecticides.
toemerge;
GardenTech®Sevin®ReadyToUseBugKiller
Weevilssuchasnorthernpine,pitcheating
(0.126percentcarbaryl):Caution.Fortreesincluding (cid:2)
weevils:Use32poundsper100gallonsfor
shadetreesandthoseinshelterbelts,plantations,
pineseedlings,treatingimmediatelyafter
parksandrecreationalareas,andforornamentals
transplantingtothoroughlywetthefoliage
includingrosesandwoodedshrubs;fortreating
andstemstothepointofrunoff,notusing
Europeanpineshootmoth,locustborer,Nantucket
morethan6gallonsofspraydilutionperacre.
pinetipmoth,ashborer,pitchpinetipmothand
subtropicalpinetipmoth.Wherepestsappear, Bifenthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide
directthespraytowardtheupperandlowerleaf
OnyxPro™Insecticide(23.4percentbifenthrin):
surfacesandsmalltrunks,stemsandtwigstothe
Warning.Forcommercialnonfooduseininteri-
pointofrunoff.Repeatasnecessaryuptoatotalof
orscapesandonoutdoorornamentals,Christmas
fourtimesfortreesandsixtimesforornamentals
trees,nurseries,golfcoursesandotherlistedsites.
andshrubsbutnotmoreoftenthanonceevery7
Useastrunkspraystoornamentaltreesincluding
days.Onfruittreesincludingpeachesandplum,for
Christmastreestocontrolbarkbeetlesandboring
treatinglesserpeachtreeborerandpeachtwigborer.
beetles,notapplyingmorethan12.8fluidounces
Donotapplywithin3daysofharvest.
(0.2poundsofactiveingredient)ofthisproductto
Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate treesperacreusingsprayvolumesasdirectedon
theproductlabelandsprayinguntilthebarkisthor-
insecticide
oughlywetted.Usespecificallyfor:
Dursban®50W(50.0percentchlorpyrifos): Dendroctonusbarkbeetlessuchasmountain
(cid:2)
Danger.Forusebycertifiedapplicatorsorpeople pinebeetle,southernpinebeetle,andblacktur-
undertheirdirectsupervision;thisproductmaybe pentinebeetleandengraver(IpsSpecies)bee-
usedonlyonornamentalsgrowninnurseriesandto tlesat16.32fluidouncesper100gallons,
applyingtothetrunkofthetreewitha
9
hydraulicsprayerintheearlyspringorbefore Coleopteranborerssuchasbronzebirchborer
(cid:2)
adultflightandtreeinfestation,applyingthe andflatheadedappletreeborer:Use2to5
spraydirectlytothemaintrunkfromthebase quartsper100gallons;
ofthetreetoatleasthalfwayintothelive Maximumresidualcontrolofalltheinsectslist-
(cid:2)
crown; edabove,use5.35quartsper100gallons.
Otherbarkbeetlessuchasambrosiabeetles, Applytothelowerbranchesandtrunksprior
(cid:2)
elmbarkbeetlesandmetallicwoodborersat toadultemergence,whichvariesaccordingto
16.32fluidouncesper100gallons,spraying pestspecies,hosttree,environmentalcondi-
mixturetothetrunk,scaffoldingandlimbsof tionsandgeographicallocation.Thoroughcov-
thetreewithahydraulicsprayerintheearly erageofbarkisrequiredforcontrol;
springorbefore beetleflightandtreeinfesta- Nantucketpinetipmoth,conewormsandseed-
(cid:2)
tion; bugs,use4to8fluidouncesper100gallons.
Clearwingmothborerssuchasashborer, Use5to10gallonsoffinishedspraypertree
(cid:2)
bandedashclearwing,dogwoodborer,lesser forconewormsandseedbugs.Beginapplica-
peachtreeborer,lilacborer,oakborer, tionwhentheadultsappear.Repeatapplica-
peachtreeborer,rhododendronborerand tionsmaybemadeon5-to7-dayintervalsas
coleopteranborerssuchasbronzebirchborer needed;
andflatheadedappletreeboreruse6.4to12.8 Onnoncommerciallygrownpeachtrees,for
(cid:2)
fluidouncesper100gallons,sprayingthe lesserpeachtreeborerandpeachtwigboreruse
branchesandtrunkspriortoadultemergence. 1/ to3/ teaspoonpergallonfor436squarefeet.
4 4
Talstar®PProfessionalInsecticide(7.9percent Donotharvestfruitwithin14daysafterappli-
bifenthrin):Caution.Foruseoutdoorsonresiden- cation.Donotapplymorethan33/ teaspoon
4
tial,institutional,public,commercialandindustrial per436squarefeetperyear.
buildings,greenhouses,lawns,ornamentals,parks, Bonide®Borer-MinerKillerConcentrate(2.50
recreationalareasandotherlistedsites.Fororna- percentpermethrin):Caution.Protectsfruits,nuts,
mentalsandtreesincludingbutnotlimitedtotrees trees,shrubs,roses,flowersandvegetablesfrom
andshrubs,greenhousesandinteriorscapes,tocon- borers,leafminersandotherlistedinsects.
trol:
Forpinebeetlesuse1fluidouncein1gallon
(cid:2)
(cid:2) Beetlesincludingtwigborersandweevils,use waterappliedasathoroughspray,wettingthe
10.8to21.7fluidouncesper100gallons,treat- leavesandbranchestodrippingpoint.Sprayin
ingtrunks,stemsandtwigsinadditionto lateafternoonorevening,whentemperature
plantfoliage; rangesfrom50to75degreesFandwhenthere
Pineshootbeetleadultsuse21.7to43.5fluid islittleornowind.Sprayatthefirstsignof
(cid:2)
ouncesper100gallons. insects.Repeatasnecessary;useatintervalsor
4to8days.Donotexceed16applicationsper
Ortho®Bug-B-Gone®MAX®Lawn&Garden
season.
InsectKillerConcentrate(0.3percentbifenthrin):
Caution.Foruseonshrubsandsmall,nonbearing Forpeachtreeborers(lesserpeachtree,peach
(cid:2)
treesfornorthernpineweevil,pineshootweevil twig)apply2fluidouncesin1gallonwater
andZimmermanpinemoth,andonfruittreesfor wheninsectsappear.Wettheplantstodrip-
peachtreeborerandlesserpeachtreeborer. pingpoint.Donotapplywithin7daysofhar-
Permethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide vest.Donotmakemorethaneightapplications
peryear.
Astro®Insecticide(36.8percentpermethrin):
Bonide®TotalPestControlConcentrateOutdoor
Caution.Foruseonornamentaltreesandshrubs
Formula(13.30percentpermethrin):Warning.For
aroundbuildings,parks,recreationalareasand
ornamentaltreesaroundthehome,usesufficient
otherlistedsites,suchasornamentalgreenhouse,
spraytoobtainfullcoverageofallfoliage.Avoid
interiorscapesandplantscapes,lawns,treesand
heavywetting.Usetocontrolpinemothsandpine
shrubs.Onornamentaltrees,for:
beetles.Onpeachestocontrollesserpeachtreeborer
(cid:2) Clearwingmothborerssuchasbandedash andpeachtwigborer:Use23/ teaspoonsper5quarts
4
clearwing,dogwoodborer,lesserpeachtree water.Applywheninsectsappear.Donotapply
borer,lilacborer,oakborer,peachtreeborer within7daysofharvest.Donotmakemorethan
andrhododendronborer:Use1to2quartsper eightapplicationsperseason.
gallon;
Spinosad, a spinosyns insecticide
BarkbeetlessuchasDendroctonussp.,Ips
(cid:2) species,elmbarkbeetles,mountainpinebeetle, Ferti.lome®Borer,Bagworm,TentCaterpillar&
LeafminerSpray(0.5percentspinosad):Caution.
pineengravers,turpentinebeetlesandwhite
Foruseonfruiting,tuberousandleafyvegetables,
pinebeetle:Use2to5quartspergallon;
stonefruits,appleandcitrustrees,ornamentalsand
10