The culprit that cuts the limbs off pecan tree is a pesky insect known as the sprig girdler . These footling pests can also be found on other trees such as elm , hickory , and persimmon . They are not fussy eaters and will even attack oak , honey locust , hackberry , poplar , cornel , sorrel tree , and various fruit trees .
The lifecycle of a sprig girdler begin when the adult beetles come forth from late August to early October . These beetles are about half an inch long and have tenacious antennae . They are typically brownish - grey-headed or black in colouring . Once they emerge , they couple and the female begin their destructive delegacy .
The female branchlet girdler uses her mandibles to chew around the circumference of little branches or twigs on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . This create a distinct “ stays ” or reverberate around the ramification . The girdling weakens the limb and ultimately make it to die and fall off . The female person then lays her ballock in the dead branch , typically in the region below the girdle .
The larvae of the sprig girdler hatching from the eggs and begin to feed on the beat woods . They tunnel their way through the arm , creating modest tunnel and gallery as they go . This alimentation activity can countermine the branch even further and make it more susceptible to breakage .
Once the larvae have completed their development , they pupate inside the offshoot . They will remain in this stage throughout the winter and come out as adults the following year , continuing the cycle once again .
Dealing with twig girdlers can be frustrating for gardener and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree owners . One way to control these pests is by physically withdraw and destroying any affected branches . This can aid prevent the beetles from spreading further and repose their egg in healthy branches .
Another method is to employ insect powder specifically place towards twig girdlers . Consult with a professional arborist or garden heart and soul to shape the secure merchandise and program method acting for your specific situation .
In my personal experience , I have had to deal with twig girdlers on my Carya illinoinsis tree . It was put off to see the branches being cut off and the overall health of the tree being compromised . I set up that a combination of physically remove affected branch and using insect powder helped to extenuate the wrong because of these pests . It call for app and regular monitoring of the trees , but finally , the infestation was get under mastery .
The twig girdler is a unwashed pesterer that swerve the limbs off pecan trees and other susceptible tree specie . translate their lifecycle and implementing appropriate control measures can help protect your Tree from their destructive behavior .
Caroline Bates
