Adult – The adult is a slender beetle measuring 10 to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide. This information is for educational purposes only. Timing is guided by trap captures for most species. Regular insecticide treatments applied to control other orchard pests aid somewhat in controlling the roundheaded appletree borer. The dwarfing rootstock, M.9, creates an abundance of burr knots. Most attacks occur around basal wounds caused by lawn mowers and string trimmers. Larvae are nearly white to light pink with a deep brown head capsule, and reach ½ inch at maturity. The dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris), is an important wood boring pest of apple in eastern North America. Cultivated trees are usually more heavily infested than those in wood lots. 2 pictures total. General Characteristics To aid in the timing of sprays, pheromone traps are used to alert producers to the presence and activity of peachtree borer moths. Reddish frass on the surface of a burr knot is a visible sign of an active infestation by dogwood borer. Larva is present throughout the whole season. For dogwood borer apply insecticides at peak pheromone trap catch. It is not known exactly how the emerald ash borer ended up in North America, but it was discovered in 2002 and has continued to spread throughout the continent ever since. The four wood boring insects mentioned below attack a wide range of trees. Females lay eggs on or near burr knots and are particularly attracted to trees with infested burr knots. Persistent infestations over several years can contribute to a slow decline of the tree and reduced yields. P. Nixon. Traps are available and useful for monitoring many insects of fruit crops, and the ones listed in the table that follows are probably the most important for most Illinois fruit growers. Specific chemical recommendations for home gardeners are in Fruit Production for the Home Gardener , and recommendations for commercial growers are in the Penn State Tree Fruit Production Guide . Dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula, (DWB): Is a common pest in the burr knots of apple trees on clonal rootstocks. Attacks apple and plum. However, when trees or shrubs are transplanted into the landscape, stresses such as drought, soil compaction, sun scald, or injuries can weaken them and make them more susceptible to attack. Dogwood borer is monitored by checking under tree guards in the spring to locate active infestations. It will not be as effective, but will help reduce the number of dogwood borer larvae, which will reduce the amount of damage to the tree until you are able to treat the dogwood tree with dogwood borer insecticide. DWB can also be controlled by trunk sprays with residual insecticides: usually, a single application at peak emergence provides sufficient control. This borer not only attacks dogwood trees but also plants in the genera Prunus, Malus and other plant genera. Specific chemical recommendations for home gardeners are in Fruit Produ… A member of the clearwing moth family, the dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris), is one of the most destructive pests of flowering dogwood, Cornus floridaL., affecting plantings in homes and parks (Johnson and Lyon 1991). It is also an important pest of many other ornamental, fruit, and nut trees. Rootstocks M.9, M.9/MM.106, M.26, MM.106, and MM.111 show some difference in susceptibility, but only MM.111 has a considerably lower infestation level. Dogwood twig borer, Oberea tripunctata (Swederus), Cerambycidae, COLEOPTERA. Dogwood is a popular ornamental tree with its flowering bracts, elegant foliage, and bright red fruits. When required, use broad-spectrum insecticides as a trunk spray against established infestations before bloom and before egg-laying begins around the time of fruit set. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Thorough coverage of burr knots and surrounding areas of the lower trunk in single sprays timed from pink stage through late June should provide excellent control. They are adaptable and although the bulk of a dogwood twig borer's diet is obtained from flowering dogwood trees, it can also feed on elm, azalea, and viburnum. Very young trees are frequently killed and older ones are left reduced in vitality and with dead and dying branches. Malling and Malling-Merton rootstocks have a tendency to develop burr knots, enhanced by low light conditions around the trunk due to shading by weeds, low limbs, suckers, opaque tree guards, and shallow planting. Consult your local nursery or tree care specialist for details. A • Several different borers can infest dogwoods. In low to moderate infestations this should be done in August or September. As always in the use of chemicals, follow the directions carefully. Dogwood borers were first found in clonal rootstocks in northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the rest of the Northeast. Mating disruption product Isomate DWB is also very effective in reducing the numbers of dogwood borer larvae although multiyear treatment need to be applied for the best efficacy. Howdy, BugFans, Dogwood Twig Borer. Pheromone traps can be used to estimate the timing of peak flight. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Photo by G. Krawczyk. DESCRIPTION. This product controls a variety of major pests in horticultural and row crops. Their holes are normally round, oval or semicircular and are found in a random pattern on the plant. The wing covers are yellow tan, with a narrow, black line on the inner edge and a broader, darker line on the … The increased severity of dogwood borer infestations in apple orchards is related to the introduction of dwarfing rootstocks. The best prevention for this insect is to protect the trees from wounds. inseCts_____ emerald Ash Borer found in illinois Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, has just been found in Kane County, Illinois, in what appears at this point to be a small infestation involving just a few trees. While dogwood borers can become a serious problem, once you know how to treat for dogwood borer larva … This is true with a host of fungal and bacterial diseases of dogwood or tiny insects that may infect or infest your dogwood tree. 3 (1 = rare 5 = annual) Severity. The Dogwood Borer. Pupation lasts about 25 days and begins in early June. These root initials provide ideal locations for the dogwood borer to lay eggs and for larva to burrow and feed upon. In more severe infestations, an application should be administered in late April and again in August or early September. The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle from northeast Asia that has caused significant damage to the native ash trees of North America. According to the University of Delaware Extension, entomopathogenic nematodes are at least as effective on borers as insecticides and less damaging to the environment, Fighting dogwood borer requires the tree to develop new woody and leaf tissue at … Dogwood Borer. On apple, larvae feed inside burr knots, which usually develop on the exposed aboveground portion of clonal rootstocks. This Dogwood twig borer (Oberea tripunctata) missed the recent “Dining on Dogwood” episode simply because it wasn’t foraging among the dogwood’s white flowers; the BugLady found it in early July on a prairie plant (there was probably a red-osier dogwood nearby).The Dogwood tree borer’s name is a study in confusion. There are a variety of insecticides and other chemical agents available to combat existing Dogwood Borer infestations. These traps should be placed at about 4 to 6 feet above the ground for optimal catch. Also, other borers, such as the American plum borer, may establish in the dead burr knots. The adults frequently will get enough poison to kill them when feeding on the new bark or leaves. Eggs hatch after 8 to 9 days and larvae bore into the tissue between the root initials and begin feeding. Undiluted white latex paint applied by brush to the lower trunk before egg laying will significantly reduce infestations. Infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation. Pounce 384EC insecticide brings outstanding performance at an affordable price. Borer infestations often go unnoticed until plants or parts of plants begin to die or show external signs of damage. As such, borer infestations usually are worse in neglected or abandoned orchards. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. NY State Ag Experiment Station A. Feeding in the burr knot itself does little or no damage to the tree, while feeding below the bark is much more destructive and may eventually girdle the tree. If a protective insecticide spray is not used, a parasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae(Guardian), can be applied to the infested tree truck as a coarse, low-pressure spray to the point of runoff. Thorough coverage of burr knots and surrounding areas of the lower trunk in single sprays timed from pink stage through late June should provide excellent control. Dogwood borer adult. The larva resembles that of peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa) and lesser peachtree borer (S. pictipes), which are much larger and do not attack apple. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula, was found for the first time in the 1980s as a common pest in the burr knots of apple trees. Control of peach tree borers in commercial orchards relies on preventing the larval establishment underneath the bark. One woodpe… Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These aggregations of partially developed root initials occur in clusters at or below the graft union. Insect Damage Dogwood Borer Synanthedon scitula. A triangle of three black spots is visible on the top of the thorax. insects such as dogwood borer (DWB), is a significant problem that receives inadequate attention in most com-mercial produc-tion regions, in-cluding the north-eastern US. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. They require ex-tra consideration and extra effort to address properly because they fall Control measures rely largely on perfecting the cultural conditions for the tree so that it can outgrow any damage done by the borers… It digs tunnels in the trunk or in burr knots (less serious, but indicative of potential problems) of trees, creating accumulations of reddish frass at the tunnel exits and causing loss of tree vigor (C). Usually, native borers (like the bronze birch borer) seek out trees that are already stressed, i.e., by drought, disease, or maybe a pruning injury. If a dogwood tree is badly infested, it may be best to remove the tree to prevent it from infecting other dogwood trees in the area. Protect base of trees: mound soil around trunk (but not so high as to allow scion rooting), install mosquito netting, use white latex paint trunk for protection; destroy larvae with a knife or a metallic skewer. New growth is covered with a fine, white, powdery coating, typically on the upper surfaces of the leaves. The most common culprits are termites, wood-boring beetles, and carpenter ants. This page details the Dogwood Borer including size, territorial reach and pictures. Mating and egg laying occur within a few days of emergence. These The larvae of the borer enter the tree through openings in the bark and feed on the cambium layer of the tree. Dogwood borer can be controlled with trunk applications of a long-residual insecticide. Borers rarely infest healthy plants growing in their natural environments. The adult is bluish black with yellow bands and has clear wings (A), resembling a wasp. Dogwood borer can be controlled with trunk applications of a long-residual insecticide. The dogwood borer is a small, clear-winged moth that resembles a wasp and is the most problematic of the dogwood pests. Two of the most common are the flatheaded apple tree borer, which is the larva of a beetle, and the dogwood borer, which is the larva of a moth. Woodpecker damage is sometimes confused with that of wood-boring beetles; however, woodpecker damage will not produce frass. Clearwing moths are the most common borers seen in commercial apple orchards in Ontario. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The optimal place to apply insecticides for most borers is to the trunk. Advanced. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Females have a wide yellow band on the fourth abdominal segment, compared to a much narrower band on the same segment of the males. Adult is bluish-black with yellow bands and clear wings, resembling a wasp. Pests such as dogwood borer pose a par-ticular manage-ment challenge to apple growers. Other plants attacked by this insect include flowering cherry, apple, mountain ash, willow and oak. Although these borer injuries can kill trees, several consecutive years of infestation are often needed before the tree shows decline. All surfaces of the lower trunk and burr knots need to be wetted thoroughly in order for insecticide applications to be effective. When required, use broad-spectrum insecticides as a trunk spray against established infestations before bloom and before egg-laying begins around the time of fruit set. The dogwood twig borer is distributed in the United States of America wherever there are flowering dogwood trees. It is closely related to the bronze birch borer, so its dam- Its larvae, which are 3 to 5 inches long and generally pink or light orange in color, live inside the tree and bore into the wood as they travel and eat. Currently there are no thresholds for apple clearwing moth. It attacks and kills healthy ash trees. Trunk injections deliver the insecticide directly to the tree saps, and trunk sprays require borers to move through an insecticide barrier to enter the tree. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, Orchard Precision - Sensor Technologies and Weather Modeling, Orchard IPM (Integrated Pest Management) - An Overview. The dogwood borer, and recently introduced apple clearwing moth are all clearwing moths in the Sesiidae family. Species presence and flight activity can be monitored with pheromone traps. Common tree borers. ... Management of the insect includes removing branches that may have been affected, preventing scrapes and injury to tree bark (via mower and trimmers), and insecticides (always use according to label instructions). Use permethrin (Perm- Up 3.2 EC) or chlorpyrifos (Dursban) for dogwood borer control in commercial nurseries. Larvae pupate in galleries in a cocoon made up of silken thread and covered by a layer of its reddish frass. The issues affecting dogwood trees are too numerous for this writing, but we can cover some of the most common dogwoo… Pupal cases often protrude slightly from the tree and remain visible for up to a year after the adults have emerged. View our privacy policy. Several borer insects attack dogwood trees and, according to the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program, they are the most threatening pest to established dogwoods. Dogwood Borer. Why do we need this? Distribution: Most fruit-growing states and provinces in eastern North America. 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