Tree Girdlers

December 9, 2017

I am finding branches all over my yard...a lot! Some elm, some oak. A Master Gardener told me it was some type of insect.  What kind and should I be concerned? 

Whenever we see small branches that look like they have been chewed off, it is a good sign that we have twig girdler beetles in action.  The female beetle girdles small branches usually a pencil or smaller in diameter and deposits eggs in these twigs.  She leaves the twig barely attached, so when we have wind movement these small branches fall.  Girdling usually occurs in late summer into fall.  Rake up and destroy the small branches, since they can contain the eggs or larvae.  No sprays are recommended. 

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