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Integrated Pest Management

Need help identifying these bugs

Stephane (Texas-8a)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hello everyone. We noticed one of our young tree having problems a few days ago. All the leaves are burnt/dead. It was doing so great before that. I just went to check on it and noticed all those bugs crawling up and down the tree. Can you please help me identify them? We have 2 cypresses next to that tree that don't look good either. So I'm afraid we have an infestation of something.

Sorry it's getting dark outside and I had to zoom a lot.

Thanks
Stephane

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

7 years ago

I'd like to see a better picture, too, but it certainly looks like one of the borer beetles. Check out pictures of the Red-headed Ash Borer, as an example of the type.

What kind of tree is it?

Comments (6)

Stephane (Texas-8a)
Original Author
7 years ago
Here is a closeup.
kimmq
7 years ago
Those bugs may be a part of the problem or they may be of no concern. The pictures are too fuzzy to see. You may wish to take a couple into the local office of your Texas A & M Cooperative Extension Service for identification.

What has your weather been like? Have you had a lot of rain and is the ground saturated? Have you had a drought so the soil is now too dry to support trees and shrubs?

kimmq is kimmsr
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Stephane (Texas-8a)
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hey guys, thank you for your replies.
I googled "Red-headed Ash Borer" and this is exactly what I have. Thank you so much. Now that I know what it is, I can see what needs to be done.
This is an Elm tree. About 3 years old. It was growing beautifully, and suddenly this. All the leaves are dried and falling.
Thank you

Stephane
Jean
7 years ago
Those beetles attack dead and dying trees. Too late for any sort of treatment.

Here's info:

http://entoplp.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/redheadedashborer.htm
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
Stephane, our friend Jean is exactly right, so sorry to say. That particular beetle is a sure sign that your tree is beyond help.

They weren't even the cause of the decline/demise but simply taking advantage of the situation. Something else is killing/has killed your tree.....maybe entirely unrelated to insects of any kind.

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